Bradford Bulls kept the pressure on leaders St Helens and Leeds Rhinos with a gutsy 28-20 win over Catalan Dragons in France.

Steve McNamara's side were made to work hard in Perpignan though and came close to being the latest big scalp to fall at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

The gritty hosts had a Casey McGuire try ruled out by the video referee while trailing 24-20 with just two minutes to go having dominated the second half of a highly physical encounter.

The Dragons got off to a lightning start when Cyril Gossard crossed after just two minutes.

Bradford's Ben Harris made a hash of Stacey Jones' kick to gift the big second-rower a try that Thomas Bosc converted.

The visitors, who lost Nathan McAvoy in the warm-up and were without full-back Michael Platt, responded with a storming effort from Joe Vagana who hit Paul Deacon's well-hidden pass at pace, Deacon levelling the scores with the conversion.

Catalans looked like they were ready to take a grip though when they struck twice in four minutes.

First, McGuire's long pass put Bosc over on 13 minutes and then Adam Mogg broke weak Bradford tackling, Gossard eventually getting centre John Wilson in.

Both touchdowns were out wide though and Bosc could not convert against the powerful wind meaning Mick Potter's men only had an eight-point advantage.

That was wiped out before the break after Deacon finished off Vagana's bullocking run.

Deacon improved that score, added the extras after Gloucester-bound Leslie Vainikolo scored his 148th try in his 149th Bulls game, and slotted a penalty on 38 minutes.

Terry Newton marked his return from a three-game suspension after the break with a try courtesy of James Evans' break but Catalans dominated and had the better chances but wasted three clear opportunities.

Clint Greenshield twice spilled with the line at his mercy and Wilson also fumbled at the crucial point before McGuire eventually sliced through on 68 minutes.

Bosc converted to make it 24-20, prompting a grandstand finish, but McGuire's second effort was ruled out for a foot in touch.

Bradford hung on with James Evans making sure with just seconds remaining.