MIDLANDS One West leaders Burton managed to see off the challenge of county rivals Stoke despite having to play most of the game with 14 men.

Craig Dutton was sent off for lashing out at Stoke's David Rathbone after only seven minutes.

But it was the Crofters, for whom Adam Wakelin was making his 250th first-team appearance, who opened the scoring with five minutes of the first half remaining.

Darryl Banton touched down for a try that Tom Bartram converted.

Stoke levelled three minutes after the break when Benjamin Oakley scored under the posts and Steven Talbot added the extras.

Bartram put Burton back in front with a penalty and Joe Carpenter's try, converted by Bartram, made it 17-7 with 15 minutes to go.

Five minutes later, Dan Smith went over in the corner to give the visitors a 15-point lead.

Simon Price's late converted score reduced the deficit but the Crofters had done enough.