The Bulls ended a frustrating Super League XVI campaign with their fourth defeat in five games at an emotionally-charged Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

Mick Potter’s side were unable to overcome lowly Wakefield in John Kear’s last game after five-and-a-half years in charge of the Wildcats.

Tries from Paul Johnson and Ryan Tongia were cancelled out by two scores in as many minutes by Kyle Briggs and Shaun Ainscough for Bradford.

But another Trinity try a minute before the break from Michael Korkidas gave the hosts a 16-8 half-time lead.

Tommy Lee scored again for Wakefield on the hour to extend the advantage.

And although Shad Royston did well to finish off a fine Tom Burgess break with 13 minutes to play, a late Julian Rinaldi try sealed the win that keeps Wakefield off the bottom of the final table.

The result seems likely to condemn the Bulls to a summer era worst-ever 11th place, unless Salford lose by more than 15 points at home to Catalan Dragons on Sunday.