JOE Keyes has urged the Bulls to be smarter when opponents look to rattle the League One favourites.

Bradford district neighbours Keighley provided them with a taste of what's to come in their final pre-season game before the serious business starts on Sunday at York.

The Cougars were up for the physical battle at Odsal, which turned into a scrap as several outbreaks of fighting saw two players from each side dismissed.

As the third tier's chief scalp that every other team wants to claim, Keyes knows they will face more of the same.

Looking back at how the derby boiled over, he said: "I probably didn't think it would be as feisty as it was but it is always a tough game playing against Keighley.

"They are a tough team and in conditions like that, it is easy for it to get like it did because it was a scrappy game.

"It's something we've got to get better at as we sort of got sucked into a bit and I think, going forward, we've got to be better at keeping our heads and playing our game.

"As John (Bulls boss Kear) says, we have a target on our heads this year and we are going to get that a lot and we need to deal with it a bit better than we did on Sunday."

Ethan Ryan, who was one of the Bulls players sent off, echoed Keyes' sentiments.

He said: "They were the first team from League One that we have played in pre-season.

"You saw what they were dishing out – a lot of late shots, a lot of grubby play. That's what teams are going to try and do.

"They will try to bring us down to their level and get us involved with all that and, to be fair to them, it worked for them on Sunday.

"Keighley were a man down and they dug in and dragged us right in there and the scoreline reflected that."

Keyes was delighted to get a full game under his belt, having had limited minutes on the pitch after recovering from the knee injury sustained in the World Cup.

He said: "The knee feels good. It was the first 80 minutes since injuring it, so it was good to get through that.

"Obviously the pitch was a bit boggy and heavy on the legs – but that it is to be expected at this time of the year and good prep."

The 22-year-old linked up in the halves with Brandon Pickersgill and Elliot Minchella and was pleased with how both partnerships worked.

With Dane Chisholm doubtful as he recovers from his knee injury, Kear looks likely to pair Keyes with one of the two in this weekend's league opener.

The Irish international said: "I thought 'Pickers' was outstanding in the first half. He offers something – push and flair.

"He's very good attacking and defensively. It was good to get some game time with him and with Elliot in the second half."

With the Bulls having sold out their standing ticket allocation at Bootham Crescent (seats are still available), their clash with the Knights promises to be a cracker.

Keyes said: "It will be a tough test. They have recruited really well and are always a solid team. We'll be doing our preparation this week and will give it our best shot."