Bradford Bulls 28, Wigan Warriors 26: Another Bulls match report, another first paragraph focusing on Paul Deacon.

At Castleford Tigers three weeks ago he landed eight goals out of eight, against Halifax last weekend he scored two tries for the Bulls for the first time in his career, and last night he kept his nerve to land a marvellous match-winning penalty in added time.

In a match that had more twists and turns than a special stage on the RAC Rally, Deacon knew he had the chance to salvage an extra point for the Bulls against their 2001 Grand Final opponents.

And, in a cathedral hush, Deacon defied the kick's slight angle, the distance from just inside halfway and even a tricky wind to extend the Bulls' 100 per cent Super League record at Valley Parade and Odsal to 22 matches.

After that it was pandemonium in front of a disappointingly small crowd of only 13,314, which was almost 1,000 less than watched the Bulls face a vastly under-strength St Helens in their notorious encounter at Valley Parade last month.

And Deacon's kick came on the back of a distinctly unpromising first-half display by the Bulls in which they trailed 12-0 and 20-6.

Robbie Paul's only promising attack of the night came as early as the seventh minute when he dummied to his right before going for the line himself.

He was tackled into touch just by the flag, but Bingley's Simon Haughton was a Wigan casualty in preventing the try.

He crashed into an advertising hoarding face-first and played no further part in the match, later being sick in the changing rooms.

After that the Warriors mounted a sustained spell of pressure that tested the Bulls' defence to the limit.

Daniel Gartner's marvellous tackle denied Adrian Lam before Sean O'Loughlin sprinted through a gap to send second row Stephen Wild in for a try in the 14th minute, Andy Farrell adding the goal.

Lam and Farrell almost brought Wigan a second try two minutes later and, although the Bulls rallied, Wigan knocking on Deacon's up-and-under, the visitors soon opened a 12-0 advantage.

Paul's 'hospital' pass meant centre Scott Naylor was clobbered less than a second after receiving the ball.

It squirmed free, and the left-hand side of the Bulls' defence was then prised open again, centre Paul Johnson putting in the lively Lam for a try, Farrell once more adding the extras.

James Lowes and Deacon - two of Bradford's better players on a night sprinkled with errors - then combined to lead the Bulls' revival.

They swung out long passes to their left, and full back Michael Withers dummied outside and slipped over himself in the 25th minute, Deacon landing the goal.

Then came a major shock, Paul's pass being easily plucked out of the air by Wigan left winger Brett Dallas, leaving him a stroll-in for a try. Farrell landed the simple goal, and worse was to follow when the Bulls were offside from the kick-off, Farrell doing the necessary from the halfway line to make it 20-6.

Bulls coach Brian Noble must have been tearing his hair out in frustration by this stage, but he was probably a little calmer by half-time after Nathan McAvoy had redeemed himself for some defensive lapses by clutching Deacon's cross-kick to go over in the 38th minute, Carney having wandered infield a fraction too much.

Whatever was said at half-time by Noble and company did the trick for the Bulls were a different side after the break.

The completion rate was about 50 per cent better, and right winger Tevita Vaikona celebrated the three-year extension to his contract by going over in the 47th minute.

Second row Daniel Gartner and Withers were involved in the build-up, and Deacon's goal reduced the gap to just four points.

Hooker James Lowes, who had an excellent second half, was then denied a try by the video referee because he dropped the ball over the line, and only a fine Brandon Costin tackle prevented a fourth Wigan try.

The importance of this was really seen a minute later when right centre Scott Naylor got on the end of some incisive passing to score. Vaikona - so good under the high ball - collected Deacon's cross-kick, and second rower Jamie Peacock was the link to put Naylor in.

Deacon's goal gave the Bulls the lead for the first time in the 55th minute, and a fine 40-20 kick later Withers got his second try after more good inter-passing inside Wigan's final 20.

Four minutes later the intense pressure switched to the Bradford end, and it eventually told when Lam slipped a short pass to hooker Terry Newton, who was not to be denied.

Farrell's goal tied the scores at 26-26, but he surprisingly missed a penalty four minutes later when the Bulls were penalised for ball-stealing after a double-tackle by Leon Pryce and Peacock.

Chances went begging at either end and it looked all over a draw with the seconds ticking away, but inside the final minute Wigan were penalised for crossing when Newton ran in front of Farrell, leaving Deacon the chance to become the hero again.