Bradford Bulls’ annus horribilis continues after a final flurry from Wigan Warriors ensured another miserable defeat that all but confirms the Bulls’ absence from the engage Super League play-offs for the first time since their introduction in 1998.

“I’m not interested in that,” Steve McNamara, the Bradford coach, said. “I’m interested in getting this team back up and making sure we pick up some wins before the season ends.”

It is hard to believe that the Odsal club were crowned world champions only three years ago, such has been their alarming slump this summer. Six wins from 20 outings is a measly return, but one that reflects their recent performances.

They were dogged and determined against Wigan, fighting back from 12-0 down to lead 14-12, but their lack of cohesion and ideas in attack proved their biggest hindrances. Bradford spent most of the second half deep in Warriors territory, but emerged with only two tries for their efforts.

James Donaldson exploited a gap from dummy half and Chris Nero slid over from Dave Halley’s pass, but otherwise there was a distinct lack of excitement, even when Paul Deacon kicked a penalty goal to edge the Bulls ahead.

Wigan rallied, with the increasingly impressive Joel Tomkins, who had registered the game’s opening try midway through the first half, sending Martin Gleeson through before the pair combined to work Amos Roberts clear in the final minute.

“We just found enough at the right time,” Brian Noble, the Wigan coach, said. “It can be a cruel game, can’t it? Bradford will have certainly felt that they deserved something from that. We’ve built a little bit of momentum, but today was a lesson in our character. It was a good win considering what Bradford did in the second half – they were very manful.”

Bradford, who were 6-0 down at the break, could have been out of reach had Michael Platt or Jamie Langley not knocked on while attempting to score during the first half. Instead, Tomkins burst on to a fine ball from his younger brother, Sam, before Pat Richards doubled Wigan’s advantage at the start of the second period.

The Bulls have seven games remaining and are quickly appearing to be without hope. Dwindling attendances — this game was a fifth sub-10,000 crowd of the season — suggest that the city’s public believe so, too.

Leroy Cudjoe scored twice as Huddersfield Giants strengthened their grip on third place with a 28-10 victory over Warrington Wolves.