Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble today defended his decision to substitute ace goalkicker Henry Paul at a crucial stage during Saturday night's shock defeat at Warrington.

The Kiwi stand off, who joins Gloucester Rugby Union Club at the end of the season, was absent as the Bulls levelled the scores at 14-14 with just eight minutes remaining at Wilderspool.

Paul has been in immaculate kicking forming this season with a success rate over 80 per cent and would have been strongly fancied to put the Bulls ahead with the angled conversion attempt.

But with his kicking deputy Paul Deacon missing the game through injury it was left to full back Mick Withers to take the shot and he slipped as he stepped up to strike the ball sending the attempt wide of the target.

It proved a costly miss as the depleted Wolves then landed a killer try through winger Rob Smyth with little more than a minute left on the clock.

But Noble remained defiant: "We still had two experienced kickers on the field at that stage in Mick Withers and Lee Radford so I didn't have any worries on that score.

"We were very flat when I made the decision to bring Henry off and I was looking for Leon Pryce to try and spark us and I thought he did some very good things while he was on there."

Noble had issued a warning earlier that he would pick the side on merit as the race for Old Trafford intensifies and it will be interesting to see how Paul, who returned to the action with seven minutes remaining, responds.

Noble was bitterly disappointed with his side's performance which sees them now only head Wigan at the top of the table on points difference.

"I haven't any excuses because although we had a few injuries, 13 fresh men started the game," he said.

"Warrington held onto the ball, which is something we couldn't do and in the end we got what we deserved.

"Perhaps it was the reality check we needed. We are still on top but the margin for error is gone now. We looked flat and that is a stark reminder of what can happen if you don't reach your best."

Noble will be looking for an immediate response from his squad in Saturday night's re-scheduled derby clash with arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos at Headingley (6.05pm).