Mick Potter paid tribute to his players and the supporters who showed defiance in the face of adversity as the Bulls slipped to a 24-18 defeat at high-flying Hull last night.

Potter and his men were told on Tuesday morning that the club must find £500,000 by next Friday to survive the cash crisis currently engulfing Odsal.

Yet Bradford dug deep last night to push Hull every step of their way before slipping to their first away defeat of the season.

Potter, who lost winger Jason Crookes to a first-half shoulder injury, said: “It was a distraction earlier in the week but I’m pleased with the way the guys responded.

“The news on Tuesday was a shock, but everyone applied themselves the best they could.

“Hull are a tough team but we matched them physically and I thought we did okay in terms of creating space, although our execution could have been better.

“I think the players felt the gravity of the situation when they went to clap the fans at the end.

“The supporters were great and appreciated what the guys came up with. The guys are rugby league players and I can’t be happier with what they did out there.

“The fans were superb and their support came across right throughout the game.”

The Bulls claimed tries from Keith Lulia, Karl Pryce and a wonderful effort from John Bateman, drawing them level at 18-18 until Tom Briscoe’s 70th-minute try proved decisive for Hull, who claimed a fifth straight win.

Potter is now facing being without Crookes for next week’s pivotal derby clash with rivals Leeds.

He explained: “We had to take Jason off at half-time after he hurt his shoulder contesting a kick.

“It doesn’t look good for him and unfortunately that’s just the way things are going at the moment.”

Meanwhile, the club’s pledge figure hit £197,000 as the fourth day of the ‘Quest for Survival’ campaign drew to a close.

That means the Bulls have averaged almost £50,000 per day since pledges started pouring in on Tuesday morning.

Chief executive Ryan Duckett said: “It’s been an absolutely tremendous response yet again, not just from Bradford Bulls supporters but the wider rugby league community.

“Fans from Leeds, Wigan, Wakefield and Hull have all pledged their support this week and the club sincerely appreciates it.”

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing behind the scenes as the club bid to attract investment that could stave off the threat of administration.

The Bulls need to reach £500,000 by next Friday with tax and VAT bills, plus the wages of players and staff, due to be paid in the coming days.

It is understood that would-be investors are monitoring the amounts being pledged in the ‘Quest for Survival’ campaign as they decide their next move.

At least one party has seen the club’s financial books with a view to possible investment.