Stoke City 1-0 Hull City

Peter Crouch (centre) celebrates scoring Stoke's winner against Hull with Victor Moses (left) and Jonathan Walters

• Crouch scores 61 seconds after his introduction

• Injured Ireland is replaced by Adam at half-time

• Hull did not have a single shot on target in the game

• The visitors remain four points above the relegation zone

Substitute Peter Crouch made an instant impact to give Stoke victory over Hull.

Crouch had only been on the pitch for a minute in the second half when he nodded home Charlie Adam's deep cross for his fourth goal in as many games.

Stoke's victory was soured by a calf injury to Stephen Ireland, which manager Mark Hughes said needed between 12 and 15 stitches and will keep him out for a long time.

Hull, who have won just one of their last 13 away games, managed one shot.

Crouch's effort meant the 34-year-old joined Alan Shearer in scoring the most headed goals in the Premier League, with 46.

It was by far the most exciting moment of a largely drab fixture.

Although they were looking to claim a third successive top-flight away win for the first time since 2008, Hull began in cautious fashion, content to defend in numbers and soak up any pressure Stoke managed to exert.

Steven N'Zonzi went close for the hosts, Ireland drove a volley into the ground after Phil Bardsley had caused a goalmouth scramble and Jake Livermore booted the ball off the line after Jon Walters' near-post flick.

But chances were at a premium in a game punctuated by niggly fouls and summed up why Stoke were one of only three Premier League teams - Manchester City and Crystal Palace were the others - to have collected more points on their travels than they had done at home prior to kick-off.

The half-time introduction of Charlie Adam for Ireland gave the home side more impetus.

Adam brought a forceful punch out of Hull keeper Allan McGregor when he swung over a dangerous free-kick from close to the touchline and was much closer on Stoke's next attack.

The 29-year-old had not scored since October but given space to run at the Hull defence, Adam advanced to within 25 yards and then let fly with a low shot that skimmed wide of McGregor's left-hand post.

Adam came close again a couple of minutes later with a free-kick that curled narrowly wide.

It took Crouch's arrival to trigger the breakthrough, with Adam turning provider with a cross that allowed the former England man to climb above Paul McShane.

Hull, who have won one of their last 12 meetings with Saturday's opponents, pushed forward with more vigour after that but though five minutes of stoppage-time brought their first two corners, they were unable to manage another shot.

Steve Bruce's side are 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce:

"We're convinced he (Crouch) is offside and we've seen replays which show that.

"I'm not saying we deserved to win the game but I expect the linesman to get that right. The ball has come 40 yards, it is a straight ball and he should be in a good position to get it right.

"But we didn't do enough offensively. We didn't offer a threat like we have in the away games of late. Overall I didn't think we deserved to lose the game."

Ireland is set for a spell on the sidelines with his calf injury

Jake Livermore (left) closes in on Victor Moses during Hull's 1-0 defeat by Stoke at Britannia Stadium

Stoke's Charlie Adam (foreground) gets in a tangle with Hull's David Meyler

It was a disappointing day for Hull manager Steve Bruce