Failure is not an option for Shaun Ainscough.

The flying winger has too much riding on his Bulls career to even consider the worst-case scenario.

A sobering experience at hometown club Wigan has only made Ainscough more determined to prove the doubters wrong, and the recent arrival of son Archie has made success more vital than ever.

“I think what happened at Wigan has opened my eyes a bit,” said the 21-year-old, who was released by his boyhood club at the end of last season.

“When I was there I showed really well at first but it just shows it doesn’t matter how well you play, you’re not guaranteed anything.

“I know I have to work hard all the time to make sure I make it work at Bradford.

“I’ve got a family now too and I have to support them so I just can’t afford for things to go wrong anyway.” Ainscough’s partner Lauren gave birth to Archie last August, the new arrival neatly coinciding with the decision to make a fresh start at Bradford.

Despite bursting onto the scene with 17 tries in his first 12 professional appearances, the former England Academy star fell out of favour at Wigan.

Limited to just one appearance last season for the club he joined as a 16-year-old, Ainscough found himself farmed out on loan to Castleford and Widnes.

It was an experience that made his Bulls debut in last week’s win against Crusaders all the more sweet.

He said: “I was really chuffed to get my chance. I came here to play games so I couldn’t wait for it.

“Mick told me I was going to play a few days before the game and I phoned my mum and dad straight away to let them now.

“I had thought it couldn’t be too long before I got my chance but I was really happy that it finally happened.

“I’ve really enjoyed it at Bradford so far and I think it’s been better than I expected. Even the travelling isn’t doing my head in.”

Typically for an early-season game, Ainscough didn’t have too many chances to get his hands on the ball out wide.

Much of the winger’s work was done early in sets but when the opportunity presented itself, he made it count, capping a solid debut with his first try for the Bulls.

It was the stand-out moment of a game lacking in genuine quality, Ainscough adding the finishing touch to a thrilling last-tackle move that saw the ball go through five different pairs of hands.

“I think I was just in the right place at the right time really,” he said.

“We were just trying to keep the ball alive and it worked out for us. Everyone was chucking it everywhere but it looks good when it comes off.

“I think I went all right for my debut. I had to go in a lot and get the ball because it had not been coming out much.”

First appearance in the bag, Ainscough is now targeting a first outing at Odsal in Sunday’s clash with Wakefield.

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure I keep my place in the team,” he said.

“We had a big crowd at Odsal for the Wigan game and all the lads were saying they’ve not seen that in a while.

“It will be good to play in front of a new set of supporters and a big crowd makes a difference. When they get behind you it lifts you.”