Last-gasp win for Bulls

A last-gasp penalty from Iestyn Harris allowed Bradford to snatch a dramatic 18-16 Super League victory against Castleford, the Bulls thus avoiding a tough play-off trip to France.

Despite a hat-trick from winger Semi Tadulala, Steve McNamara's side had struggled to shake off the attentions of the Tigers at the Jungle.

However, with Warrington losing at home to Huddersfield, the narrow win was sufficient to take the Bulls above the Wolves into fifth, thus avoiding a tricky visit to the Catalans Dragons.

Instead, Bradford will head to the JJB Stadium and a meeting with Wigan Warriors on Friday.

Castleford only had a mathematical chance of avoiding the wooden spoon but Terry Matterson's side were certainly game and dominated the first half.

Nevertheless, it was Bradford who claimed the lead after just two minutes when Tadulala made the most of a fine run and pass from Paul Deacon to touch down in the corner.

Deacon added the conversion but the Tigers fought back almost immediately when Stuart Donlan found himself in space before sending winger Richard Owen over with a superb long pass.

Castleford went close again only for Ned Catic to knock on but alarm bells failed to register in the Bulls' defence as a slick handling move in tight space put the hosts ahead.

The score came after Luke Dorn passed outside to Michael Wainwright, he in turn passing inside for centre Kirk Dixon to touch down.

Dixon converted and also added a penalty soon afterwards and the Bulls were fortunate to hold out after a break by Peter Lupton sliced their defence open once again.

But Bradford survived and levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time as Tadulala claimed a second against the run of play.

Stronger start

That score, and possibly the news that Warrington were trailing, seemed to galvanise the Bulls as they started the second half strongly.

Yet Castleford, strong in attack earlier, proved equally proficient in defence as they limited the impact of Deacon and Wayne Godwin, who perhaps worryingly for the Bulls, both left the field.

The Bulls forced successive goal-line drop-outs but their opponents held firm as they waited patiently for their own opportunities.

They seized their chance just after the hour as Andrew Henderson forced his way forward and Ryan Boyle twisted and turned his way under the posts for another try converted by Dixon.

But Bradford dug deep, with Tadulala looking dangerous on every carry and when Chris Nero worked the ball to him with 10 minutes remaining he made no mistake as he cut inside to score.

Harris, taking over from the absent Deacon, scored a difficult conversion to level at 16-16 and set up a tense finale.

And it was Harris, off the bench, who created the opportunity to win the game, beating his man with an outrageous dummy.

Catic caught him but was penalised and sent off for holding down. Harris then held his nerve to secure Bradford the points.