JOE Keyes was buzzing to come through his first competitive game since last season’s League One play-off final - but knows he must improve if selected on Sunday at home to Widnes Vikings.

The 23-year-old, who is on the comeback trail after a long-term back injury, came through 80 minutes of what was ultimately a thrilling 24-20 victory over Halifax at Odsal.

The win kept Bradford Bulls right in the Championship play-off picture, and the Irish international confessed: “It was good to get through the whole game and get the win.

“I was a bit tired in the last 10 minutes but that was just match fitness, and hopefully I will get that back over the next few weeks.

“It was a cracker of a match - it was quick out there, a very fast-paced game, but Halifax always bring that when they come here so we knew what to expect.”

The result almost turned on the second-half sin-binning of George Flanagan, and Keyes admitted: “It was closer than we had hoped but it was win at all costs so fair play to the lads.

“We let them back in in the last 20 to 25 minutes when we were in control before but if I had got that ball down in the corner we might have shut the game out if we hadn’t had the sin-binning but we got the win, which was the main thing, and we are still in that play-off race.”

Keyes had been given the low-down in midweek as to what was expected of him by head coach John Kear, and the half-back said: “I spoke to John in the week about what we wanted to get out of this game.

“I hadn’t played at this pace and intensity for a long time so it was a case of do my job, make my tackles and lay a few tries on.”

Keyes laid down a marker early with his for Ethan Ryan’s try, and admitted: “I am just buzzing to be back out there. It was like a breath of fresh air to be back out with the boys and do my bit.

“I just got through it and managed the game and hopefully it will be more of the same next week.”

However, Keyes missed two of his six shots at goal.

One was from the touchline but the other was eminently kickable late on as it was just to the side of the posts.

Keyes admitted: “I was disappointed with that last kick but I was pretty tired.

“I’m not making excuses but I need to be better next week, especially if it comes down to the wire again.

“A few of my kicks were a bit off but that is to be expected first game back.

“I was a bit rusty but hopefully I can scrub them up next week, especially against a good team like Widnes, so it is going to be a big test and we will need to be bob on with it.

“It was an incredible result for Barrow (who defeated Featherstone Rovers) but, and I know it is a cliché, we will just take each week as it comes, do the job and try and come away with two points.”