The Bulls missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of Super League as their eight-match winning run ended at Wigan with a 26-12 defeat.

Bradford rallied after going 20-0 down but it was not enough to stop Wigan from claiming a deserved victory.

Brian Noble said: "There was plenty of effort but I thought we lacked composure at times at their end of the field. We had chances to prise open them open but we didn't execute like we can.

"It just didn't happen for us but it happened for them because of their enthusiasm and desire. You don't become a bad team overnight and we have got to re-group now."

Noble paid tribute to Mike Gregory's Wigan charges, who are now unbeaten during his four games in charge and aiming to push Leeds for second spot.

He said: "They were great and full credit to them, they played with a lot of enthusiasm. We've got to kick on from this, there was a lot of effort individually, but we just need to mould it into a team."

Jimmy Lowes said: "We gave them a few chances and that's the difference in big games. We had numerous chances and had some good quality back-to-back sets, but we shot ourselves in the foot, dropped the ball and we never took the chances that we were given.

"Any sort of game you will get chances and Wigan took theirs and we didn't - it's as simple as that. They played their sixes and the chances that were given to them, they took and that was the difference."

Lowes dismissed Leeds' coach Daryl Powell's remarks that the Bulls' lead at the top of Super League was unassailable. He said: "We didn't listen to that anyway and it's got nothing to do with anything."

Lesley Vainikolo, who limped off with a hamstring injury, said: "My knee is a bit sore but the hamstring is the problem now. I will find out tomorrow during rehab and assess it then.

"We need to bounce back now. That was a wake-up call for us."