EVERTON missed out on the chance to move level with third-placed Chelsea after being held to a draw at Stoke City today.

The Blues held a half-time lead thanks to Ryan Shawcross’ own goal but were pegged back not long after the start of the second period when Kenwyne Jones headed past Tim Howard.

Everton will have left the Britannia Stadium ruining a missed chance from Leon Osman which, if converted, would have doubled their lead before the break.

And the equalising goal is not one Howard, making his 200th consecutive Premier League appearance, will want to see again as he misjudged Jones’ header and allowed the ball to squeeze inside the post.

The American though did extremely well to deny substitute Cameron Jerome with 10 minutes remaining when the Stoke man went clean through on goal, with Sylvain Distin clearing Peter Crouch’s follow-up off the line.

A ninth draw of the league campaign keeps David Moyes’ men fourth in the standings ahead of next week’s game at West Ham United.

Everton will reflect on their performance as a mixed one.

Flashes of excellent play in the first-half were in contrast to periods of being wasteful in possession but they were worthy of a share of the points.

Stoke, who have now lost just twice in 15 home league matches, were equally as up and down today but improved after the break as they put Everton under sustained pressure.

Tony Pulis’ men had the better of the half but Steven Pienaar so nearly snatched it for Everton in injury-time but, having weaved his way into space, dragged his shot wide.

STOKE CITY (4-4-2) Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross ©, Cameron, Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherinhgton (Kightly 85), Adam (Jerome 73), Jones (Crouch 77).  Subs: Sorensen, Palacios, Whitehead, Upson, Kightly, Crouch, Jerome.

Goals: Jones (52)

Cautions: Begovic

Red Cards: None

EVERTON (4-4-1-1) Howard, Coleman, Jagielka ©, Distin, Baines, Naismith (Barkley 70), Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic.  Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Barkley, Vellios, Duffy.

Goals: Shawcross (36)

Cautions: None

Red Cards: None

Referee: Mark Halsey

Attendance: 27, 008