HOPPERS ended their 13 game winning run and the chance of a trip to Twickenham when Burton dumped them out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup in this fifth round tie.

Hoppers conceded an early penalty in midfield which gave Burton three points and ten minutes later, after a lineout catch and drive andthe ball spread wide for but this conversely signalled their best spell of the game.

Hoppers were twice denied tries when the referee adjudged the ball not to have been grounded, first when Scott Podmore used his pace to outstrip the cover to go over and then from the resulting attacking scrum Hoppers. After 27 minutes, the injury jinx struck again when winger Danny Holland left the field with a suspected broken leg and Hoppers had to reorganise with regular hooker Richie Sands coming off the bench and Podmore moving to the wing.

Hoppers continued to attack and, after yet another apparent try by Paul Bailey had been ruled out for crossing, the pressure eventually told when Dave Carter drove over in the 36th minute.

Paul Bailey missed the conversion but was on target when Michael Lough touched down near the posts after more good work from the forwards. This gave the visitors a half-time lead of 12-10 and they started the second period continuing to put the opposing pack under pressure.

A pick-up by Morton led to a blind side move which saw Podmore bundled into touch just short of the line but on 53 minutes a flare up on halfway, led to the sin binning of Andy Lough and home fly half Gilmour which disrupted Hoppers more than the opposition and they lost the initiative.

After 56 minutes, Burton scored again when the defence was sucked in by some driving phases and Hayles again had the easiest of run-ins.

Banton's conversion put the home side ahead 17-12 with just over 20 minutes left.

Hoppers continued to enjoy their share of possession but could not break through a resolute defence and, after missing one opportunity, Banton put his side two scores ahead with a 30-metre penalty after 63 minutes.

Despite creating some promising moves, Hoppers were unable to capitalise and the final whistle brought jubilation from home fans.

Hoppers will need to return to winning ways at Middlesbrough on Saturday to maintain their promotion challenge.

Final score: Burton 20 Preston Grasshoppers 12