Delighted Bulls boss Steve McNamara hailed his side's courage after they finally delivered their first Super League win of the season.

It came during a thrilling climax in Perpignan as replacement Dave Halley touched down with the last play of the match to grab a 30-24 victory.

Bradford had seemed destined for a fourth straight defeat during an absorbing contest at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

They had been 18-6 up but trailed 24-18 after Jean-Philippe Baile' 67th minute try completed a rampant Catalans’ comeback.

The hosts were on fire after dominating the second period and, although Terry Newton responded seven minutes later, Paul Sykes' simple conversion attempt rebounded back off the post to leave the visitors still behind.

But, with Paul Deacon departed due to an ankle injury, he got it right with a 77st minute penalty and then lined up for a drop goal in the last seconds.

Catalans applied massive pressure as they desperately scrambled to deny the shot, so Sykes handed onto Ben Jeffries who darted clear and instead put Halley over in front of the ecstatic Bulls fans.

They won in similar style last year and McNamara said: "In terms of resilience, determination and the will not to lose, it was second to none from us.

"It was important we got the result. I've got a few more grey hairs but I'm glad to have the monkey off our back now.

"Hopefully we can relax and go on with things. We're a good side, there's no two ways about it.

"Results in the last couple of games have held us back a little bit and tonight we got ourselves in a very commanding position only to throw it away.

"We came up with some really good stuff with the ball but let Catalans off the hook with some poor last plays giving them easy metres.

"Yet we still came up with that dramatic finish - Sykes missing the kick, hitting the penalty and then missing a drop goal attempt before the try-scoring play in the last second."

McNamara added: "It brought real elation and delight for us all.

"We've been on the other end of that this season, all be it a draw with Hull KR, and it is horrible.

"I do sincerely feel for Catalans in some regards to lose in that manner but my only concern at the minute is Bradford."

Full-back Halley, 22, had just returned from a loan spell at Wakefield where he had scored four tries in five games.

McNamara said: "It was a great way to come back for Dave.

"A couple of balls he didn't quite field and it looked like it might not be his night but he's a finisher and he certainly finished it well.

"I think Ben Jeffries deserves great credit for part of that last play as well though."