BULLS' head coach John Kear admitted that his side’s game plan had gone out the window during the 25-12 defeat to Widnes Vikings yesterday.

Bradford probed in search of a comeback after being down 19-6 at half-time, but the lack of attacking imagination was there for all to see.

Jordan Lilley and Billy Jowett took on the reigns of being the creative force on this occasion after the recent injury to Danny Brough had ruled him out for a long period of time.

But for all their efforts there was a lack of clinical edge and Widnes were able to capitalize on this and put Bradford to the sword.

And after the game, Kear said: “I thought the best team won. Widnes managed the game better than us and I thought they took their chances too.

“But I can’t fault the effort and the physicality of the team. With it being 19-6 at half-time, it made it difficult to claw back.

“The second half showing was much better, but we didn’t look organised and we started making things up as we went along.”

Kear added: “We had a couple of opportunities to claw our way back into it in the second half, but we dropped the ball over the line a couple of times.

“You can’t go and do that. If we score them opportunities then it’s a different game. There’s lots of ifs and buts but the pleasing thing was that we got into them situations”

After the game, Kear spoke highly of the bench players’ performances, including Anthony Walker who went over for Bradford’s first try of the day and the Bulls boss hinted at a potential change to the starting line-up.

He said: “I thought three or four of the bench players were outstanding and they were probably our better players.

“That’s something for us to look at and analyse to see if we need to change the starting line-up. But we have to look at it with a cool analytic head.”

Another man who did standout yesterday was Matthew Smith for Widnes Vikings, with Bulls finding it hard to nullify his threat.

And Kear was full of praise for his performance after the game. He said: “I thought Matty Smith was excellent for them. That drop goal just before half-time was really good, and then as the second half moved on, he kept rolling it into touch, which adds to your own frustration and it ensures they remain in control of the game.”

On Saturday the Bulls confirmed the capture and return of half-back Joe Keyes on a two-week loan deal. He returns to Bradford after spending time at Super-League side Hull KR and Kear also confirmed that Keyes is in contention to face Batley next week.

He said: “I think there is a pretty good chance he’ll play. I think today confirms to us why we’ve signed him, to tell you the truth.”