BULLS interim coach Leigh Beattie refused to make excuses for his players after a 52-16 defeat against Sheffield Eagles.

The Bulls suffered a fourth consecutive Kingstone Press Championship defeat and are still four points adrift at the bottom of the table with only nine league games remaining in the regular season.

Beattie was unhappy with his side's defending and the Eagles threatened a whitewash until the last 13 minutes of the game when the Bulls scored three late tries.

"We just weren't good enough," said Beattie. "We decided to play in the last 15 minutes but we should have been playing like that from the start.

"I am not going to make excuses for any of them in there. Some people just missed one-on-ones and that's not down to systems of practice. Some of that defensive stuff is out of our hands. It is down to individuals and their mindsets."

The Bulls now have two weeks before hosting promotion-chasing London Broncos, but Beattie warned: "If we are going to defend like that we are going to be in a whole heap of strife again.

"Some of the blokes in there (the dressing room) need to fix themselves up and have a good look at themselves I reckon. We have got to stay positive but it's very tough."

Beattie praised Sam Brooks and Ted Chapelhow who made debuts after joining on dual registration terms from Widnes Vikings.

However, he bemoaned the possible loss of yet more players with Scott Moore (Achilles), Ross Oakes (ankle), and James Mendeika (ankle) all suffering injuries during the game. Jon Magrin also had to leave the field with a head injury.

"It's not ideal but it is where we are as a club," said Beattie. "There's nothing I can do there."