At 16-16 with seconds left, Tigers looked set for a deserved point in their final game of a tough campaign.

But referee Ian Smith penalised Craig Huby for holding down Bradford Bulls attacker Simon Finnigan in front of the Cas posts and Iestyn Harris slotted over a priceless penalty goal.

Tigers substitute forward Ned Catic – in his final appearance for the club – was sent off for protesting, but Matterson accepted the penalty was justified.

"It probably was," said the Cas boss. "But we are looking for consistency.

"I don't know how many times David Solomona laid over our blokes and was offside. It was a fair penalty, no doubt about that, but we should have got one about five minutes before that coming out of our line.

"It was a big moment, but that's the way it goes. It didn't go for us. We had our opportunities, but they came up with a couple of big plays. We were out on our legs, they were out on theirs.

"It was a really courageous effort from both teams."

The victory moved Bulls up a place to fifth in the final engage Super League table, earning them a trip to Wigan Warriors in next weekend's elimination play-off.

Bulls – who would have travelled to Les Catalans Dragons had they failed to win – led 6-0 early on through the first of Semi Tadulala's three tries, converted by Paul Deacon.

But touchdowns by Richard Owen – off a move involving a clear knock-on – and Kirk Dixon and a Dixon penalty goal made it 10-6, before Tadulala crossed again on the stroke of half-time.

Tigers absorbed heavy pressure before Ryan Boyle barged over mid-way through the second half for his first try of the season. Dixon converted.

Tadulala's hat-trick score, 10 minutes from time, was converted superbly off the touchline by Harris and he held his nerve to slot over the winner – though Michael Wainwright's break could have sealed it for Cas moments earlier.

Matterson was upset not to finish with back-to-back victories – a feat they failed to achieve all year – but was hugely proud of his side's effort and their final third of the campaign.

"I don't think we deserved that at the end," said the coach. "I've said to the boys, I couldn't be any prouder of them if we had won the game.

"We are stuck with a loss in the record, we deserved better, but I am really proud of them.

"After 18 rounds we were on six points, but we've turned it around and finished on 15.

"The boys certainly played for each other out there and we can take that into next year."

Castleford Tigers: Donlan, Owen, Shenton, Dixon, Wainwright, McGoldrick, Dorn, Sargent, Henderson, Korkidas, Guttenbeil, Catic, Lupton. Subs (all used): Leafa, Higgins, Huby, Boyle.

Bradford Bulls: Sykes, Halley, Evans, Nero, Tadulala, Jeffries, Deacon, Vagana, Newton, Lynch, Cook, Finnigan, Langley.