Stoke have lost a significant amount of momentum, with six defeats in their past nine games, and there was frustration inside the ground at the final whistle after another home game delivered so little.
Preston, whose manager Heckingbottom was watching from the stands as he served a touchline suspension, had the better of the early chances, with Thierry Small’s effort at the end of a lovely flowing move smothered brilliantly at close range by keeper Viktor Johansson in the Stoke goal.
Small had another shot saved by the Swede shortly afterwards, but those turned out to be the visitors’ best moments.
Stoke’s on-loan striker Divin Mubama created a great opening for himself from Mohammed Lawal’s centre but, after doing the hard work with his first touch, he hit the side netting from a tightening angle.
Potters defender Ashley Philips then had an effort from the edge of the area deflected over the bar by Odeluga Offiah, while Jordan Storey headed straight at Johansson with Preston’s one notable chance of the second period.
Sorba Thomas went close to breaking the deadlock with a curling shot from the left side of the area late on – Iversen pulled off an excellent save to his left to tip the ball around the post.