The Papua New Guinea Hunters have slipped to third in the Queensland Cup rugby league standings, after their three-match winning streak was snapped by the Burleigh Bears.
The visitors trailed 14-0 at half-time but finally got on the scoresheet two minutes into the second spell with Oti Tony's converted try.
Connor Broadhurst restored the home side's 14-point advantage before the Hunters mounted a late surge with tries to Timothy Lomai and Justin Olam cutting the deficit to two points with six minutes remaining.
The Bears held on to win 20-18, PNG's second defeat of the season, and leapfrogged the Northern Pride into fourth spot in the overall standings, behind the Hunters on points differential.
Townsville still lead all-comers with seven wins from eight while the Hunters can regain second spot if they beat the Redcliffe Dolphins at home on Sunday.
