JIMMY Lowes hit back at his critics after the Bulls slipped to a dramatic defeat at derby neighbours Halifax.

The Bradford head coach was involved in an exchange of words with a supporter shortly after the 20-16 loss at The Shay.

Lowes said: "It's very disappointing that there are some very negative people who don't understand the game of rugby.

"Some people expect us to win by 60 or 70 points and I just can't get my head round their way of thinking. It's very disappointing."

The Bulls made a sluggish start and found themselves 14-0 down at the break following tries from Mitch Cahalane and Ben Heaton, with Steve Tyrer kicking three goals.

Lowes gave his men a verbal roasting at the break and they improved markedly in the second half.

Tries from Jay Pitts, Adam Henry and Omari Caro put the Bulls 16-14 ahead. But Tyrer kicked a penalty to level matters and then scored a late breakaway try to seal a ninth straight win for Halifax.

Lowes said: "We were poor in the first half and didn't get going until after half-time following a few harsh words.

"We came out a completely different side – but that first half wasn't acceptable."

The result was immaterial in terms of the Bulls' final league standing and Lowes took the positives from his side's second-half fightback.

"It wasn't about the result," said Lowes after a third loss in five games. "It was about character-building and the boys showed that in the second half."

Lowes also took heart from the performance of debutant James Clare on the left wing following his arrival from Castleford.

The Bulls boss said: "James Clare showed some spark and some speed.

"They did all right in the second half in particular but generally in the first half, across the board, we just weren't good enough."

Lowes reiterated there was no cause for panic, with a number of big guns all set to return for the promotion-deciding Super 8s.

Key men such as Lee Gaskell, Jake Mullaney, Harry Siejka, Adrian Purtell, Dale Ferguson, Danny Williams and Adam Sidlow all missed yesterday's game.

The Bulls are also poised to announce their new signing this week and Lowes said: "It was the last game of the season and I wanted to give some boys an opportunity.

"They took their opportunity in the second half, they didn't in the first half, and we've got players who are due back.

"It's always disappointing to lose but there is a bigger picture. Halifax nicked the game, so good on them.

"We would have been jumping for joy at the end if we had nicked it. It was about the bigger picture for us."