Steve McNamara admitted the Bulls now have a huge mountain to climb if they are to make the engage Super League play-offs.

Bradford’s head coach, speaking in the wake of a 40-38 home defeat by Castleford Tigers yesterday, said: “We really need to win next week (at Hull KR).”

McNamara, who insisted he knew nothing about a reported move to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats by Terry Newton, had witnessed a topsy-turvy encounter in which Castleford led 12-4 and 34-22 but were 22-12 behind at half-time.

Looking understandably downcast, McNamara said: “Some people might say it was an entertaining game of rugby league but I thought it was a poor game. Both sides came up with some unbelievable errors.

“We made horrendous starts to each half, going 12-4 down in the first – and we were even worse at the start of the second and conceded four tries in the opening 15 minutes. We have a lot to look at.”

Even so, in a game of seven tries apiece, the Dave Halley-inspired Bulls could still have salvaged a draw if Paul Deacon had landed the final conversion.

His attempt drifted narrowly wide of the far upright after Ben Jeffries’ try had made the score 38-40.

Less than 15 minutes earlier, the Bulls scrum half had needed treatment and was looking groggy after being injured making a tackle.

But McNamara defended the move to let Deacon attempt the goal that would have claimed a point, despite Paul Sykes successfully converting Jeffries’ first try in the 66th minute.

The Bulls head coach said: “Paul Deacon was fine to kick at goal. He is our No 1 goal-kicker and those sorts of decisions are made on the field.”

What McNamara found more difficult to defend was some woeful tackling by his team.

“The way we were at half-time, we just needed to get on with it and start the second half and we paid a massive price (for not doing so),” he said.

“If both sides carry on playing like that, neither side will do much more.”

Tigers coach Terry Matterson, whose side have now completed the double over the Bulls this season, called it “the most bizarre game I have ever been involved with”.

He added: “It was a funny game. On the last play, we gave them the chance to run 90 metres and score a try and thank the Lord they missed the kick.

“But we have lost a lot of close games this season. The most disappointing thing was our defence but that is all we have to work on.”