Bradford Bulls coach Matthew Elliott paid tribute to his side for their win over impressive Super League newcomers Gateshead Thunder after injury and illness played havoc with their pre-match preparations.

Two tries in the final quarter saw the Bulls clinch a 22-12 victory to move within a point of leaders St Helens but Elliott revealed: "Robbie Paul had been in bed ill for the last couple of days and Henry has been struggling with a leg injury too in training and we do lose a bit of spark when they don't play as well they can for us.

"Nick Zisti also pulled a muscle at training on Saturday and is a bit despondent at the moment," added Elliott who believed the introduction of Paul Deacon off the bench proved a telling factor.

"We just needed a spark at that stage and before his ankle injury I thought Paul gave us that," he added.

It was the first time Gateshead had lost at home since the opening day of the season and Elliott was full of praise for Shaun McRae's men.

"We played top-five quality opposition today," said Elliott. "I bet we're one of the few teams that come here and get two points. Gateshead don't have any superstars but they're very strong across the park. I think they made three errors in the game. I wish our team had made just three errors. I could complain about some aspects of our performance but I think you have to give the opposition credit.

Gateshead have now failed to beat any of Super League's big four of Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Bradford and McRae took little consolation from his counterpart's compliments.

"It's nice to get accolades but it doesn't alter the fact that we didn't the two points," he said.

"They wore us down but I'm not sure the score really reflected how close the game was. In all four games against the big four we have had opportunities to win and we've shown that we probably have a realistic chance of making the top five play-offs."

Elliott will make a fitness check on Deacon today as the side prepare for Saturday night's visit of top five rivals Wigan Warriors.

"It might be a little premature at this stage but I don't think it looks too serious. Paul Anderson will also be back after suspension and Bernard Dwyer might be available too so we will have some decisions to make."

A hat trick of tries by hooker Steve Pickles was the highlight of the Bulls under-21s 28-16 win over Widnes at Odsal in the Alliance League.

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