Graeme Bradley's career ended in typically controversial fashion as the Bulls hopes of creating a play-off shock crumbled following his first-half dismissal.

The Bulls skipper had inspired his side to a stunning 12-0 lead in the opening ten minutes but it all turned horribly wrong when referee Stuart Cummings stunned the crowd by producing the red card after a innocuous looking challenge on Saints winger Chris Smith.

It was a devastating blow and salt was rubbed in the wounds when the official failed to produce the same punishment for Paul Atcheson when he deliberately tripped Robbie Paul as the Kiwi threatened to score a dazzling try from near half-way.

When he did finally act in the dying minutes former Odsal centre Paul Newlove was sent off for a high shot on James Lowes moments after having a long range interception try ruled out.

But by the time Newlove departed the damage had already been done.

Cummings' treatment of Bradley seemed to sum up the bad luck which has blighted Bulls' season although they deserved great credit on this occasion for sticking to their task despite overwhelming odds.

The Bulls had made a superb start to shock favourites St Helens with two tries in the opening ten minutes.

It was Paul who got the ball rolling with a superb jinking run on the left flank and after using Mike Forshaw as a foil he fed Nathan Graham whose sweetly timed run took him over for a fine try.

And moments later they were celebrating again as Steve McNamara fed substitute Kevin Crouthers and the young centre finished in style by racing away from Julian O'Neill and cutting inside Atcheson for a try which silenced the home crowd.

But Saints punished Bulls' first defensive slip. Tommy Martyn's pass allowed Sean Long to use his blistering pace off the mark and Paul Sculthorpe was on hand to touch down.

The scene was all set for a real thriller but then came the turning point as Bradley flopped on Smith after he fumbled a pass and Cummings ruled he had made deliberate use of the forearm.

It looked harsh in the extreme and despite some heroic defending by the 12 man Bulls, Saints gradually made their extra man count.

After Long's penalty had closed the gap to four points the home side forged ahead for the first time five minutes from the break.

Stuart Fielden pulled off a superb tackle to deny Saints skipper Chris Joynt but on the next play the rampaging Newlove shot between Paul and Crouthers to go over and Long's angled goal made it 14-12.

But all the effort went to waste when Stuart Spruce's wild pass near his own line evaded Jon Scales and Paul Deacon for Anthony Sullivan to gratefully accept the chance.

It was just the lift Saints needed and they really turned up the heat on the re-start with stand-off Martyn calling the shots.

Three tries in a six minute spell meant the champions were playing only for pride in the final half-hour.

But they responded in just the right way spurred on by another magnificent Bulls following.

Mike Forshaw slipped out a neat pass to Jeremy Donougher and the big second-rower showed good pace to power in wide out in possibly his last game for the club.

And he added another in the dying minutes off McNamara's inside pass to underline their spirit on the night.

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