The Bulls' play-off hopes were seriously dented after a 28-14 defeat to Hull FC.

The Airlie Birds now hold a three-point cushion over Bradford in the race for eighth place with nine games left.

Hull were allowed to score three unanswered tries within the opening 23 minutes, Richard Horne starting the rout after good work by Kirk Yeaman.

Sam Moa touched down with a powerful burst before Joe Westerman claimed the third.

Bradford finally hit back with s strong four-minute spell before the interval, Shad Royston scoring after Michael Platt's break.

Royston touched down again to take his tally to ten for the season off a crossfield kick from Marc Herbert.

But the Bulls slipped up six minutes after the restart, allowing Yeaman to touch down off Willie Manu's grubber kick.

Andy Lynch responded with a try from Craig Kopczak's offload but the hosts couldn't do enough to close the deficit.

Craig Fitzgibbon pounced on Sam Obst's kick late on to seal the result.

Bulls: Brett Kearney; Jason Crookes, Shad Royston, Elliott Whitehead, Patrick Ah Van; Ben Jeffries, Marc Herbert; Andy Lynch, Matt Diskin, Craig Kopczak, Olivier Elima, Ian Sibbit, Jamie Langley. Interchange: Michael Platt, Nick Scruton, Danny Addy, Tom Burgess.

Hull FC: Richard Whiting; Reece Lyne, Jordan Turner, Kirk Yeaman, Tom Briscoe; Richard Horne, Sam Obst; Mark O'Meley, Danny Houghton, Craig Fitzgibbon, Willie Manu, Danny Tickle, Joe Westerman. Interchange: Ewan Dowes, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Moa, Lee Radford.