IT MAY sound strange but it seems like Bradford Bulls are almost glad that they have lost a match in Betfred League One this season.

Ahead of the trip to Whitehaven tomorrow – their first trip to Cumbria since going down 17-16 at Workington Town in early April – Ross Peltier reckons that that defeat not only taught the leaders some lessons but got rid of any complacency.

The prop admitted: "We got it (the pressure of going through the season unbeaten) off our back early.

"We lost that nought, so that pressure was not on us and we have realised we are beatable.

"It has just made us turn up and we know that we have to concentrate a lot more. It has made us focus a lot more."

The former Keighley Cougar added: "With that loss to Workington, we have learnt a lot, we have learnt our lesson and we know that we need to travel a lot better than we have been in."

However, Peltier also reckons that the Bulls fans can play a vital role in helping them at The Recreation Ground against opponents who are struggling off the pitch due to financial problems.

He said: "I have been to Whitehaven many times and it has always been a tough place to go and it is going to be hostile – a tight pitch with the fans quite close to you.

"But what has been different from other times is that we take so many fans, and they are the loudest so it feels like a home game, and we have that motivation, but Cumbria is always a tough place to go as we found out at Workington."

With West Wales Raiders shipping points like a leaky boat takes in water, it would be a stretch to say that anyone can beat anyone in Betfred League One.

However, Peltier admitted: "This league is strange.

"Whitehaven beat York and North Wales beat Whitehaven, and we just need to keep this distance (two points) and hopefully York slip up and we make that lead four points or we do that when York come to us."

But he does not see discipline as being an issue for the Bulls at Whitehaven as much as concentration.

He said: "When we focus and we are on the money, not many teams can come close to us.

"A lot of people expected us to struggle more against North Wales last weekend but that title is in sight now and we just want to win it as soon as possible."

As for his own form, Peltier is content. The 25-year-old prop said: "I have only missed one game this season against Coventry and I am happy with my form.

"I had a few handing errors against Coventry and it is just about trying to fix those up and setting little goals."