Sunday 17 August 2014 20:56, UK
Hull FC boss Lee Radford conceded his side's playoff hopes had been extinguished after they squandered a 12-0 lead to lose at Bradford.
The 12th-placed visitors went down 34-28 to leave themselves all but mathematically out of the running to extend their Super League season.
Radford's side have three games left and trail eighth-placed Widnes, currently occupying the final play-off spot, by five points with a tough run-in against Hull KR, Huddersfield and Leeds.
We are where we are for a reason and if we play with that little energy when our whole season depends upon it, if we do get into the play-offs we will have cheated our way in.
Radford, whose side have now won just one of their last eight games, said: "We should have been more ruthless. We had ample amounts of opportunities in the first 25 minutes to make the game ours but we chose not to take them.
"It's about honesty and if you don't put a good shift in at this game it's there for all to see.
"We are where we are for a reason and if we play with that little energy when our whole season depends upon it, if we do get into the play-offs we will have cheated our way in.
"After 25 minutes they were ready to lie down for us but we started giving them more and more ball and we invited them into our lounge and to sit on our couch.
"Our season is over. We have a derby (against Hull KR) to play next in a fortnight and we are now hoping to do what Bradford are doing and that's playing with no pressure."
Following shock wins against champions Wigan and Challenge Cup finalists Leeds, it was the first time this season the Bulls had registered three victories in succession and Bradford coach James Lowes feels that the hard work in training is paying off.
He said: "I was disappointed with the start because we were poor in contact and that's something we have worked particularly hard on recently.
"We conceded penalties by trying to make up for it by making a play at the ball, which offered Hull good field position and they created a couple of good tries.
"But the guys are digging in. They are digging in at training and working extremely hard and that's being replicated on the field and they are not giving up.
"There's a different bounce to them, which wasn't there when I arrived, and we got a couple of scrappy tries towards the end of the first half.
"At the start of the second half I thought we were particularly good.
"They are working hard for each other whether they are staying or going.
"The lads who are leaving want to leave on a good note and those who are staying are working very hard to get a jump on the new boys who are coming in."
