Robert Huth's late header and a penalty save by Thomas Sorensen in injury time ensured Stoke beat Wolves to edge their way into the FA Cup fifth round.
Huth rose to head home Matthew Etherington's cross with 10 minutes left of what had been a dour game.
But it would not have been enough on its own to secure Stoke's progression.
With time ticking away, Nenad Milijas fell in the box under Huth's challenge, but Sorensen saved the midfielder's spot-kick to send the Potters through.
It was a dramatic ending to an otherwise low-key encounter, characterised primarily by squandered possession and chances.
Overall though the visitors deserve a place in the fifth round for the second successive year - where they will meet Watford's conquerors Brighton of League One - courtesy of their first FA Cup victory over Wolves.
The Potters were more dangerous throughout against a home side that worked hard but lacked any presence in attack in the absence of the ill Kevin Doyle.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy opted to play Stephen Ward up front alongside Steven Fletcher, but barring one instance in the first half when Ward crossed for his strike-partner to head against the post, the pair were largely ineffectual.
In contrast, on-loan Stoke forward John Carew proved a handful for the home defence.
606: DEBATE
Well done Huth and well done Tommy. Here's hoping for a home draw next
sgtpotter89akaTheIncredibleSulk
In the fifth minute he could have added to an impressive record of 11 goals in 10 FA Cup ties for parent club Aston Villa but his flicked header from Rory Delap's long throw was pushed past the post by Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Hahnemann was again called into action to cut out a dangerous Danny Pugh cross, with Kenwyne Jones threatening.
The American keeper was proving to be his side's most valuable asset and once more saved well from Carew when the Norwegian held off the challenge of Richard Stearman to earn himself a shooting opportunity.
At the other end, a mistake by Abdoulaye Faye let in Ward but his low cross-shot was parried away by Sorensen.
For much of the second half the game followed a similar pattern, with Stoke infrequently punctuating long periods of scrappy play by creating goalscoring chances.
However, they continued to find Hahnemann a resilient obstacle, most notably when Etherington unleashed a low drive that the American tipped past the post.
However, with 10 minutes to go, Huth produced the one truly well-executed attacking moment of the match when he rose above everyone to powerfully hammer in a header from Etherington's free-kick from the byline.
Wolves rallied and were given a lifeline to keep themselves in the competition when Milijas tumbled in the area under the challenge of the already committed Huth.
But Sorensen had the final word with a superb save from the Serb's penalty.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"The missed penalty [by Milijas[ does not make me unhappy with the performance. It is indicative of our performance because it is a missed opportunity.
"Ultimately we gave away a needless free-kick and got punished by Stoke who do it better than anyone else with free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.
"We dealt with it well most of the time - but not that occasion."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis:
"Thomas [Sorensen] has been brilliant. We are hoping to sit down and do a deal with Thomas to keep him at the football club.
" [Asmir] Begovic has been outstanding for us. As a young keeper, he has been outstanding.
"Thomas has been waiting patiently. He has been terrific today. That is what you want, good competition."
Huth rose to head home Matthew Etherington's cross with 10 minutes left of what had been a dour game.
But it would not have been enough on its own to secure Stoke's progression.
With time ticking away, Nenad Milijas fell in the box under Huth's challenge, but Sorensen saved the midfielder's spot-kick to send the Potters through.
It was a dramatic ending to an otherwise low-key encounter, characterised primarily by squandered possession and chances.
Overall though the visitors deserve a place in the fifth round for the second successive year - where they will meet Watford's conquerors Brighton of League One - courtesy of their first FA Cup victory over Wolves.
The Potters were more dangerous throughout against a home side that worked hard but lacked any presence in attack in the absence of the ill Kevin Doyle.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy opted to play Stephen Ward up front alongside Steven Fletcher, but barring one instance in the first half when Ward crossed for his strike-partner to head against the post, the pair were largely ineffectual.
In contrast, on-loan Stoke forward John Carew proved a handful for the home defence.
606: DEBATE
Well done Huth and well done Tommy. Here's hoping for a home draw next
sgtpotter89akaTheIncredibleSulk
In the fifth minute he could have added to an impressive record of 11 goals in 10 FA Cup ties for parent club Aston Villa but his flicked header from Rory Delap's long throw was pushed past the post by Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Hahnemann was again called into action to cut out a dangerous Danny Pugh cross, with Kenwyne Jones threatening.
The American keeper was proving to be his side's most valuable asset and once more saved well from Carew when the Norwegian held off the challenge of Richard Stearman to earn himself a shooting opportunity.
At the other end, a mistake by Abdoulaye Faye let in Ward but his low cross-shot was parried away by Sorensen.
For much of the second half the game followed a similar pattern, with Stoke infrequently punctuating long periods of scrappy play by creating goalscoring chances.
However, they continued to find Hahnemann a resilient obstacle, most notably when Etherington unleashed a low drive that the American tipped past the post.
However, with 10 minutes to go, Huth produced the one truly well-executed attacking moment of the match when he rose above everyone to powerfully hammer in a header from Etherington's free-kick from the byline.
Wolves rallied and were given a lifeline to keep themselves in the competition when Milijas tumbled in the area under the challenge of the already committed Huth.
But Sorensen had the final word with a superb save from the Serb's penalty.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"The missed penalty [by Milijas[ does not make me unhappy with the performance. It is indicative of our performance because it is a missed opportunity.
"Ultimately we gave away a needless free-kick and got punished by Stoke who do it better than anyone else with free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.
"We dealt with it well most of the time - but not that occasion."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis:
"Thomas [Sorensen] has been brilliant. We are hoping to sit down and do a deal with Thomas to keep him at the football club.
" [Asmir] Begovic has been outstanding for us. As a young keeper, he has been outstanding.
"Thomas has been waiting patiently. He has been terrific today. That is what you want, good competition."
