BRADFORD Bulls suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, as Widnes Vikings claimed a 25-12 victory at Odsal this afternoon.

Before the game, much had been made about Bradford’s threadbare squad, with several recent injuries halting the Bulls in their progress, after going on a brilliant seven-game winning run.

One man missing through injury was Danny Brough and his absence from the side was clear to see.

Bulls worked and probed the Widnes backline time and time again, but to no great effect, and poor ball handling throughout ensured a frustrating afternoon for the Bulls. Brough’s imagination, leadership and grit was sorely missed, and it left the makeshift half back pairing of Jordan Lilley and Billy Jowitt with added responsibility to offer attacking impetus.

To accompany the hosts' flat forward game, the defensive side of things also left a lot to be desired.

A number of defensive errors proved to be costly for the Bulls, in particularly in the first half where Widnes went over three times, all which could have been avoided.

In the sixth minute Lewis Else stepped through a flimsy Bulls defence with ease to score under the posts and Stephen Tyrer added the conversion.

It got worse for Bradford in the 22nd minute when Deon Cross went over. Powerhouse Adam Lowton drove through the Bulls' backline after a brilliant lay off by Tyrer.

And Lowton played it right to supporting man Cross, who calmly edged over the line.

Tyrer added the two points and at 12-0 down, it already looked like one of those days for Bradford.

Aaron Murphy did go close to reducing the deficit; however, he was held up by the stubborn Widnes backline, one of four occasions in the match where the Bulls were held up.

However, momentary respite did arrive for Bradford, as substitute Anthony Walker, who was a standout performer for the hosts, powered over the line from close range, after some nice work from Sam Hallas. Lilley converted.

Widnes came back strongly and found another gap in Bradford’s leaky defence, as Matthew Smith burst through. But thankfully for Bulls, on this occasion Smith knocked the ball on.

However, Jayden Hatton did go over moments later in the 36th minute.

A kick from Smith was sent looping over to the left-hand side and Hatton rose highest to pluck the ball out of the air and go over the line, and Tyrer added his customary conversion.

A moment of genius arrived from Smith on the stroke of half-time, who proved to be a real thorn in Bradford’s side throughout the 80 minutes, with his creativity reflecting what was missing in the Bulls side.

Smith collected the ball around 30 metres out and clipped an effort straight over the posts, to extend Widnes’s half-time lead to 19-6.

John Kear must have had a lot to say at half-time to his players, and they came out of the blocks in the second half.

With 43 minutes on the clock, Billy Jowitt played a superb cut-out ball to feed Ebon Scurr, who went over from close range, and Lilley added the extras.

Only four minutes after Bulls reduced the deficit, Adam Lowton crashed over for the away side.

Smith was enjoying himself out there and Bulls couldn’t get near the number seven.

In acres of space, he teed up Lowton, who raced on to the ball and smashed his way through the Bulls defence. There was no stopping him there. Tyrer converted to take the score to 25-12.

As the hosts struggled to manoeuvre the Widnes brick wall, it was Cross who this time looked to embarrass the hosts' backline.

He burst through a number of challenges from his own half and raced clear. Cross evaded Pickersgill, who was the last man, but Joe Brown caught up with the speedy winger, to stop an inevitable try.

And as the full-time hooter sounded, Kear cut a frustrated figure.

He will undoubtedly view this as a missed opportunity, especially with the events that occurred at rivals Batley. The chance to leapfrog the former in the league table has escaped Bulls, and as they prepare to host them next weekend, it will certainly add pressure.

With the creativity missing from the side in the last two defeats, the arrival of Joe Keyes will hopefully provide the side with a much-needed boost. The void left by Brough has increased the need for Bulls to add a creative mind like Keyes.