Hull coach Shaun McRae is tipping Bradford Bulls and St Helens to reach this season's Grand Final.

His side have lost 32-30 to St Helens and 25-24 to the Bulls in successive home matches, and McRae said: "You would be a brave person at the moment to back against a Bradford and St Helens Grand Final."

The Australian added: "It was a great effort by us against the Bulls, but I am getting fed up of us getting close to these sides. We need to start beating them."

Hull have now lost in close games against both the Super League pace-setters.

But however unlucky they were in those encounters, the Airlie Bird fans more keenly remember the 46-32 defeat at the hands of this season's surprise package London.

In Friday's encounter, a last-minute Michael Withers drop-goal separated the two sides after Hull clawed back an early Bradford lead.

Gracious in defeat, McRae added: "I don't think we found a way to lose Friday's match. I think they found a way to win it, and that is what makes them a champion side.

"They are not top of the table for any other reason than they are a top side with some excellent individual players, and they have a wealth of experience in big games, and that showed up as well."

The sides meet once more at The Boulevard on September 22 in the final game of the regular season.