Before the tie, Southampton named academy graduate Josh Sims in the starting XI. The youngster would end up being the only bright spark in a rather bleak Saints performance.
After an uneventful first half, the home side showed a bit more intent in the second period but were denied by Jack Butland between the sticks whenever they managed to get a shot away.
In fact, Butland provided an impressive advert of his abilities when he parried away a Cedric thunderbolt from distance. The Stoke shotstopper will be feeling his clean sheet has taken him a step closer to being England's first choice keeper at the World Cup this summer.
Stoke's chances were few and unthreatening. Peter Crouch looked sharp when he came off the bench, but was unable to gift his side a goal.
It was a game that both sides knew they had to had to win, but also a game they both feared losing. A craintive approach from both managers produced a match that will not go down in history.
The tie finished 0-0 and the sides left St. Mary's with one measly point each. Stoke sit in 19th whilst Saints bob precariously above the drop in 17th.