Bradford Bulls 19 Harlequins 12: Battling Bulls take the points as Orford adds finishing touch

The visitors led through Chris Melling's 13th-minute score but the Bulls responded immediately through Michael Platt and Brett Kearney edged them in front shortly before the break.

Steve Menzies added a third in the 52nd minute to give the Bulls a little breathing space but a fine breakaway try from Danny Orr which Luke Gale converted set up a tense finish to a low-quality encounter.

However, Matt Orford landed a late penalty and drop-goal to seal Harlequins' seventh defeat from eight games this season.

While much has been made of the Londoners' troubles this season, Bradford have similarly struggled for form – and it showed.

Quins claimed a shock lead in the 13th minute, a neat short offload from Chad Randall sending Melling scurrying over, Orr converting.

Straight from the restart, a clever kick behind the visiting defence caused panic and hesitancy among the Harlequins players allowed Platt to ground the loose ball.

Although Orford's conversion attempt rebounded off a post, the Bulls continued to probe but found themselves constantly frustrated by their own poor handling and some dogged defending from Quins.

But, three minutes before half-time, Bradford struck in devastating fashion when Platt found Kearney to his left and he scampered clear for an easy try which Orford converted.

Bradford claimed their third try of the evening. After a fine break from Kearney, Menzies showed some neat footwork to weave his way and Orford added the conversion. The score seemed decisive as it gave the Bulls a 16-6 advantage but spirited Quins continued to look for openings.

A fine breakaway score from Orr down the right channel gave them hope in the 64th minute and Gale added the extras. That cut Bradford's lead to four points but a penalty and a drop-goal from Orford secured victory.

Bradford: Kearney, Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Reardon, Sykes, Orford, Scruton, L'Estrange, Lynch, Langley, Whitehead, Menzies. Substitutes: Godwin, Donaldson, Kopczak, Hall.

Harlequins: Jones-Bishop, Sharp, Clubb, Howell, O'Callaghan, Gale, Randall, Wilkes, Orr, Ward, Williamson, Melling, Golden. Substitutes: Bryan, Williams, Bolger, McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).