Relegated Bradford City signed off in front of their fans with another dismal display as they slumped to their 29th defeat of a wretched season.
It took the visitors only 57 seconds to find their way through a defence that had already leaked 66 goals this term.
Kris Commons, who was virtually given the freedom of Valley Parade all afternoon, was needlessly fouled on the edge of the box by Michael Branch.
The young midfielder got up to curl the free-kick straight on to the head of Gifton Noel-Williams, who glanced it into the net.
Commons almost broke through himself minutes later, but his weaving run into the box was finally halted by two defenders.
Bradford's response was feeble, Danny Cadamarteri's half-hit shot forcing an exaggerated diving save out of Ed de Goey and Nicky Summerbee's looping cross to the far post landed easily in the big Dutchman's grasp.
Stoke continued to dominate and a 35-yard effort by Wayne Thomas flew just wide of the target.
Then, home keeper Alan Combe flapped at another cross by Commons before skipper David Wetherall stepped in to boot the ball clear.
Within 52 seconds of the restart, the Potters extended their lead with a second for Noel-Williams.
Daryl Russell went charging into the Bradford box and there were loud appeals for a penalty as he went tumbling under a challenge from Combe, but the ball ran to Noel-Williams who rifled it into the top corner.
For much of the time the game lacked any real passion, but Stoke's on-loan midfielder John Halls was booked for a crude challenge on Cadamarteri and Wetherall was also shown the yellow for a trip on Noel-Williams.
If Bradford survive their crisis meeting with creditors in a few days' time, they will quickly realise that a major re-building job is needed as they face up to life in the second division.