Carl Hoefken's goal wasn't enough to seal the Potters all three points after Michael Chopra grabbed a last minute equaliser.

The Belgian put the visitors ahead in the first half but Chopra fired home a late goal to stun Tony Pulis' side

Jon Parkin's return to Hull meant a first start in almost three months for Vincent Pericard, while Carl Dickinson retained his place at left back following Andy Griffin's return from suspension.

Dominic Matteo returned to the heart of midfield to partner John Eustace at the expense of the injured Lee Hendrie.

The match started quietly and Cardiff winger Paul Parry was first to test the City resolve, however Steve Simonsen was alert to block his long range effort.

The Bluebirds continued to dominate the opening period, and almost took the lead through Steve Thompson but Jonathan Fortune was on hand to divert his strike over the bar.

On the twenty minute mark the Potters could have took the lead against the run of play.

In form striker Ricardo Fuller out paced Darren Purse before rounding the keeper, but his ball across goal was miss-placed and Purse recovered to clear the danger from Pericard.

City were struggling to gain any momentum, and Parry launched a thunderbolt from 20-yards but it flew just over Simonsen's upright.

Despite all the home side's pressure it was the Potters who made the breakthrough on the half hour.

Pericard neatly controlled the ball before rolling it to Hoefkens on the edge of the 18-yard box, and he smashed the ball past the outstretched David Forde into the bottom right hand corner.

Fuller and Lawrence both had chances to double the lead, but both fired over when well placed.

Dave Jones' side started the second half in similar fashion to the first, and John Eustace's poor back pass almost lead to an equaliser.

However, former Newcastle youngster Chopra fired well over from 20-yards.

Skipper Danny Higginbotham almost made it two, but is free-kick was saved by the legs of Forde.

Belgian international Hoefkens almost grabbed his second of the game, but his bullet header from a whipped Liam Lawrence centre went just over.

Chopra was unlucky not to find the net after a clever through ball, but his attempted chip over Simonsen was exquisitely palmed away from danger.

The three points should have been sealed after 80 minutes when Fuller burst down the right flank and squared it to substitute Martin Paterson, but he somehow fired wide with an empty net at his mercy.

Just as City looked to have shut up shop, the Potters rearguard failed to clear the ball inside the 6-yard box and Chopra pounced to smash the ball home and earn the home side a point.