Burnley's homecoming was not a happy one as Mamady Sidebe's first half goal settled a scrappy Turf Moor clash.
The Clarets had waited exactly one month for a home game following two frustrating postponements.
Four new January arrivals had sparked further excitement among the home ranks.
But Stoke spoiled the party as Stoke's Mali international slid in to convert Ricardo Fuller's cross and earn all three points for the Potters.
Steve Cotterill handed Turf Moor debuts to loan signings Mike Pollitt and Eric Djemba-Djemba, while Ade Akinbiyi took huge acclaim from the fans on his second home bow.
The fourth new arrival, Icelandic international Joey Gudjonsson, had to settle for a place on the bench just 24 hours after sealing a three-and-a-half year deal from AZ Alkmaar.
But it was the 'old guard' who almost gave Burnley a dream start inside three minutes.
Chris McCann, starting on the left of midfield, crossed for Gifton Noel-Williams, whose snapshot was well held by City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
Sidebe forced Pollitt into similar evasive action soon after when he leapt unchallenged from a left wing corner.
As expected, the 'problematic' corner of Turf Moor that caused Saturday's postponement was causing no worries to the Clarets and, in particular right winger Wade Elliott who was enjoying a lively start.
And as the Clarets continued to fizz the ball about on the lively surface, Noel-Williams' shot on the turn from Djemba-Djemba's slide-rule pass was deflected for a corner.
However, against the run of play City struck first in the 25th minute when the pace of Fuller took him clear of Michael Duff and to the by-line, where his expertly driven cross was easily converted from close range by Sidibe.
Burnley were thankful to Pollitt within 60 seconds when Fuller again got the better of Duff only to see the on-loan Wigan keeper save low to his right.
Stung, Burnley looked for an instant response. And as McCann's attempt deflected across the six-yard box, Noel-Williams was again denied on the turn, this time by Andy Wilkinson's goal line clearance.
Five minutes from half time, former Stoke striker Akinbiyi had his first sight of goal, but the downward header from Jon Harley's hanging cross was never going to beat Simonsen at his near post.
However, half time arrived with the Clarets unable to break down a resilient Potters defence.
Kyle Lafferty was therefore introduced at the break, replacing McCann on the left hand side, while a defensive re-shuffle saw centre back Duff swap places with right back Frank Sinclair.
But the Clarets back line was almost caught cold in the 56th minute when poor defending allowed Sidibe far too much time and his low, angled curler through a pack of bodies was superbly saved by a sprawling Pollitt.
The hour mark passed with frustration growing in the home ranks. And in the 66th minute, Cotterill's nod was the signal for a fourth home debut of the night, this time to Gudjonsson, who replaced Djemba-Djemba.
Soon after, Elliott was sacrificed for Garreth O'Connor as the Clarets boss played his last card.
But Pollitt was still the busier of the two goalkeepers and as City pounced on a mistake by James O'Connor, the last line of defence again stood firm to produce another fine save from Matteo.
However, Simonsen's stoppage time grab on the line from Akinbiyi as Noel-Williams' shot spun loose was the closest Burnley came to a leveller and City held their nerve to take all three points back to the Potteries.
Burnley: Pollitt: Harley, Duff, Thomas, Sinclair, McCann (Lafferty 46), Djemba-Djemba (Gudjonsson 66), J O'Connor, Elliott (G O'Connor 71), Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi.
Subs: Coyne, Foster
Booked: Lafferty 78, Gudjonsson 82
Stoke: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin, Hoefkens, Matteo, Russell, Lawrence, Sidebe, Fuller
Subs: Eustace, Sweeney, Pericard, Dickinson, Rooney
Ref: M Pike
Att: 12, 109
