BRADFORD Bulls Reserves produced a resilient display against an experienced Hull FC outfit before falling to a last-gasp 20-18 defeat.

Visitors Bradford controlled large sections of the opening half and made their dominance count when Ryan Butterworth was sent over to score.

Smart play from the impressive Matty Race then enabled him to find a gap to dive over underneath the posts to extend the Bulls' advantage.

Hull FC would find a score before the break, however, as Tonga international Mahe Fonua broke through to send Jude Ferreira over.

After the break, Hull’s star-studded team then began to show their class as Connor Wynne, who featured for the Bulls in pre-season, took on the Bradford line and broke through to score.

The Airlie Birds' momentum continued in a game of two halves as winger Charlie Graham touched down, although Bradford thought they had stolen the game as Ethan O’Hanlon crashed over to set up a tense finish.

The game was wrapped up however as Lewis Bienek burrowed his way over on the last play of the game to seal the win for the Black and Whites.

Mark Dunning’s side included the likes of Cameron Berry, O’Hanlon and Race, who had all impressed in various games in pre-season.

After Race had fed Butterworth for the opening score, the troublesome duo of Hull FC first-team regulars Albert Kelly and Mahe Fonua caused the young Bulls issues.

However, Race got on the scoresheet as he flew over to send the Bulls 10-0 up.

They could only hold out for so long though as Fonua shrugged off three Bradford tacklers to send Ferreira to score in the corner to reduce the arrears.

The second half saw more dominance from the home side as they scored two quick fire tries, through Wynne - who raced 60 metres to score - and then Graham, who gave Hull FC the advantage, touching down in the corner.

With only five minutes left on the clock, O’Hanlon barged through two Hull defenders to score what looked like the winning try.

However, Bienek had the final say as, with seconds remaining, he found a gap to condemn Bradford to an opening day defeat.

Bulls reserves are back in action a week on Saturday when they play neighbours Leeds Rhinos at Stanningley (12pm).