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Neither side settled early on, and it seems to be Notts who adapted better to the wet conditions with Mark Stallard having two good chances to give Notts the lead.
He had a half volley well saved by Neil Cutler after Clive Platt had set him up, and he was also off target after a superb passage of play.
Stoke created little and it was not a shock when Notts opened the scoring bang on half time, when Ian Baraclough thundered home following good play by Simon Baldry.
The Potters were denied a leveller early in the second half when Stuart Garden denied Chirs Iwelumo with a fine tip over, but the lanky forward found the net minutes later when he headed home a cross from the left wing.
Platt went close soon after, with his shot sliding just wide of the mark, and sub Tony Hackworth nearly scored after not being on the field long, but his left foot strike was well saved.
The final chance of the evening saw Ian Baraclough almost add to his earlier strike, but he couldn't find the net again as his effort his the post and went behind with just minutes remaining.
Full Time: 1-1
An impressive performance by Notts, who passed the ball along the floor well at times and matched Stoke in nearly every department.
The new boys looked impressive, and trialist Michael Sisson gave a good account of himself when he was introduced in the second half.
Notts - Garden (Mildenhall), Jenkins (McFaul), Fenton, Barras, Nicholson, Baldry, Brough (Sisson), Richardson (Caskey), Baraclough, Stallard (Hackworth), Platt