Bradford Bulls 22 Catalans Dragons 24: Catalans edge out sorry Bradford as losing run drags on

The Dragons followed up their thrilling win over Warrington with an equally tense victory over the struggling Bulls to ensure they will go into Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against the Wolves in buoyant mood.

Catalans were not at their best but a third win at Odsal was achieved without four members of their likely semi-final side as well as head coach Kevin Walters, who returned to Queensland following the death of his father, Kevin snr.

Bradford overcame a difficult start to edge 22-16 in front after an hour thanks to tries from captain Andy Lynch, Steve Menzies, Michael Platt and teenager Tom Olbison and three goals from Paul Sykes but paid the price for their lack of finishing as they suffered a club record-extending 11th straight defeat.

"It was so near, yet so far, the story of our season so far," said caretaker coach Lee St Hilaire.

"We came up with some good plays and created enough chances to win three games but our execution was poor.

"When we sit down and review the tape, it's going to be uncomfortable for a few people.

"Take nothing away from Catalans, who wanted to take a winning mentality into next week, but we've got to be smarter."

The Frenchmen got off to a dream start with a try from Setaimata Sa, who crossed virtually untouched straight from a scrum 10 metres out.

When Thomas Bosc sent Sebastien Raguin striding through for a second try on nine minutes, the signs looked ominous for the Bulls.

They pulled a try back through Lynch, who single-handedly opened up the visitors' defence with a determined run and hand-off, and Paul Sykes added the conversion but the Bulls generally lacked the creativity to trouble their opponents.

The home side were reduced to 12 men seven minutes before the break when second rower Michael Worrincy paid the penalty for a series of infringements with a spell in the sin bin.

And Catalans made them pay by scoring their third try in his absence, Steve Bell collecting Brent Sherwin's high kick to touch down, with Bosc adding the touchline conversion to make it 16-6 at the break.

Bradford lack confidence but played with plenty of spirit and they were still a man down when they cut the deficit, 19-year-old Olbison taking hooker Heath L'Estrange's pass to score his first try for the club within two minutes of the re-start.

Sykes's second goal made it 16-12 and they were level when Menzies pounced on L'Estrange's kick to the corner.

The Bulls hit the front for the first time when Menzies sent Michael Platt over and Sykes kicked his third goal.

Bradford's lead lasted just six minutes, however, with Olivier Elima, linked with a move to Bradford next season, powering onto Bosc's well-timed pass. Bosc levelled the scores with the conversion and edged his side back in front with a penalty.

The Bulls almost stole victory when Jamie Langley went on a charge for the line only to be denied by an ankle tap by Kane Bentley and they declined an opportunity to share the points when Sykes opted to run a penalty instead of going for goal.

Bradford: Halley, Finigan, Platt, Nero, Sheriffe, Menzies, Sykes, Lynch, L'Estrange, Kopczak, Whitehead, Langley, Godwin. Substitutes: Worrincy, Olbison, Crossley, Hall.

Catalans Dragons: Pelo, Bell, Raguin, Carlaw, Walker, Bosc, Sherwin, Casty, K. Bentley, Fakir, Elima, Mounis, Sa. Substitutes: Ferriol, T. Gigot, Simon, Gossard.

Referee: J Child (Dewsbury)