Crestfallen Steve McNamara surveyed the Bulls' play-off heartache and admitted: "It hurts like hell."

The Engage Super League champions lost their title last night after falling 19-12 against Hull FC in a titanic Grand Final eliminator.

Bulls were heartbroken as they saw THREE tries' disallowed at a heaving KC Stadium.

Hull - who now make their maiden appearance in the showpiece against St Helens at Old Trafford next Saturday - also scored a highly-contested touchdown on a night of high drama.

Having become the first club to lift the trophy from third last season, brave Bradford were looking to become the first to do so from fourth.

But, despite a hugely courageous display, their campaign is now over.

Gutted McNamara conceded seeing those scores ruled out - incredibly all three came inside just eight first-half minutes while trailing only 6-0 - hit his team hard.

"It frustrated them," he said. "It's really hard to judge watching it live but from what the TV studio people were saying we've been hard done by."

McNamara tried to remain upbeat but he added: "If I'm honest it hurts like hell that we're not there.

"I'm proud to be associated with that bunch of players though. We pushed it hard and it was very close but we just didn't quite do enough."

Tears flowed at the end of a gruelling encounter, with Brad Meyers, Mick Withers and Karl Pryce all playing their final games for Bradford.

And McNamara revealed the courage of his busted squad to push Hull so close after it emerged many were walking wounded beforehand.

"It was a great effort but if you knew the full story, you'd be even more surprised," he said.

"Sam Burgess dislocated his shoulder against Warrington but we got it put back in and strapped him up to play. Joe Vagana dislocated his thumb in the same set of six that Andy Lynch broke his ankle last week and we managed to disguise that and patch him up.

"Terry Newton had a hamstring problem all week and we thought Paul Johnson was back but then found out he has actually got a fracture in his ankle.

"It's been really tough but we fought through it and the players responded magnificently. I can't speak highly enough of them."

Johnson - who now heads to Warrington - has pulled out of the Great Britain Tri-Nations squad due to his ankle injury.