Hollow victory for Bradford

Despite a hard-fought 21-18 victory at Hull FC, Bradford Bulls missed out on a place in the play-offs for the first time in Super League history following Catalan Dragons' shock final-round victory at St Helens.

Bradford chalked up a fifth straight win courtesy of a late drop-goal and penalty from Paul Deacon, but it proved in vain as events at the GPW Recruitment Stadium conspired against them.

Despite having nothing to play for, Hull put up a spirited showing and pushed the Bulls all the way with Tom Briscoe grabbing a brace of tries and Lee Radford also touching down.

Michael Worrincy, Deacon and James Donaldson all scored tries for Bradford, but their players cut despondent figures at the final whistle as their success proved a hollow one.

After making much the more positive start of the two sides, Hull deservedly hit the front on seven minutes. Having created a two-on-one out on the right, Danny Tickle spun a pass to Tom Briscoe who bundled past Semi Tadulala to dive over in the corner.

The decision was referred to the video referee who gave Briscoe the benefit of the doubt to signal the promising youngster's third try in three matches. Tickle added the extras with a fine conversion from the touchline.

Hull continued to boss a tight, combative encounter and the Bulls were dealt a further blow when Sam Burgess was forced off with a nasty gash to his head after an accidental collision with a team-mate's knee in a tackle.

But they fought hard to stay in the game and hauled themselves level eight minutes before the break when they took advantage of a rather soft-looking penalty award for obstruction on Richard Whiting following a high kick.

Fine pass

Deacon was the architect as his superbly-timed short pass sent in Worrincy who burst through the home defence from close range and scampered round under the posts for his tenth try of the campaign.

Deacon then moved his side ahead before the interval as he finished off a well-worked move from the visitors - although there were plenty of home protests about a forward pass in the build-up.

A slick one-two between Glenn Morrison and Steve Menzies set the former free - Menzies' return pass provoking the wrath of the home fans - and Morrison timed his pass expertly to set Deacon free allowing the scrum-half to charge to the line and dive over from close range despite the attention of two defenders.

Deacon also sustained a nasty cut to his head as he scored the try, but picked himself up to slot the conversion to earn his side a 12-6 half-time lead.

The same player edged his side eight clear 13 minutes after the restart as he kicked a straightforward penalty from in front of the posts and youth product Donaldson gave his side a stranglehold with a third try just four minutes later.

Swift handling

More swift handling created space out wide on the left and Donaldson was on hand to crash over, but the celebrations of Bradford fans were severely dampened as news filtered through that Catalan Dragons had pulled well clear at St Helens.

A further blow followed shortly afterwards as Radford reduced the deficit to 18-12 as he slid over after a fine run and pass from Jordan Tansey had taken out two Bulls defenders - Tickle slotting the conversion.

The resurgent hosts pulled level on 66 minutes as Briscoe underlined his burgeoning talent with a superb individual try - released by Whiting, the winger cruised past Tadulala on the outside and, despite being hauled down, got the better of Paul Sykes to touch down with the video referee awarding the try.

Pegged back, Bradford emotions spilled over rather and, having been warned moments earlier following a confrontation with Epalahame Lauaki, Morrison was shown a yellow after getting involved in another flare-up.

With seven minutes remaining Deacon landed a sweet long-range drop-goal to sneak his team back in front and confirmed the win on the final whistle with a penalty after an infringement by Tansey, but his efforts proved in vain.