Gareth Raynor's controversial sending off cost the Bulls dearly, as they bowed out of the Challenge Cup against Wigan.

The winger was harshly given his marching orders in the 31st minute after catching Sam Tomkins in the process of scoring a try.

Granted, the England full back was knocked out cold by Raynor's arm but the winger appeared to have done little wrong in making a genuine attempt at the tackle.

Left a man short, the Bulls' task was just too big.

Bradford had taken the lead when a bomb from Kyle Briggs was knocked back by Shad Royston and Andy Lynch sent in Elliott Whitehead, Patrick Ah Van converting.

But Wigan hit back through Pat Richards before Sam Tomkins' try and Raynor's sending off changed the game.

Jeff Lima was sin-binned before the break but Wigan extended their lead through tries from Richards and Brett Finch after it.

Bradford refused to give in and Ben Jeffries produced a superb piece of play to send in Ah Van, who converted his own try.

The gap was closed further when Royston touched down a Briggs grubber, Ah Van converting, but the killer blow came when Liam Farrell scored.

Ah Van scored a consolation with the final play of the game.

Bulls: Shad Royston; Gareth Raynor, Michael Platt, Elliott Whitehead, Patrick Ah Van; Kyle Briggs, Ben Jeffries; Andy Lynch, Heath L'Estrange, Bryn Hargreaves, Olivier Elima, Ian Sibbit, Jamie Langley. Interchange: Tom Olbison, Tom Burgess, Craig Kopczak, Matt Diskin.

Warriors: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins, Darrell Goulding, Pat Richards; Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai; Andy Coley, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell, Ryan Hoffman, Sean O'Loughlin. Interchange: Jeff Lima, Paul Prescott, Paul Deacon, Chris Tuson.