Hull secured home advantage for their first match in this year's engage Super League play-offs thanks to a fine win over Bradford at the KC Stadium.

Their first victory over the Bulls this season - inspired largely by the outstanding Danny Tickle - ensures they will welcome either Huddersfield or Wigan to the KC Stadium next weekend.

Huddersfield are more than likely to be their opponents, barring a defeat at the hands of Hull KR on Saturday.

With Bradford coming into the tie knowing only a win would allow them a chance of leap-frogging Leeds into second spot, they started well by bossing the first half but having failed to achieve more than a 4-4 scoreline at the break, were made to pay in the second.

With Shontayne Hape making his comeback after six months out, the Bulls were the only side in the contest for the opening 40 minutes.

In a nervy and largely uninspiring half, Tame Tupou posted the only try with Tickle's two penalties evening the balance.

It was perhaps rough justice for Bradford, although despite their domination they were only able to call on Tupou's 19th-minute effort as their only chance.

His try apart, the first half was notable only for the withdrawal of Mathew Head. The scrum-half has been the star of Hull's run to the top six and, no doubt to coach Peter Sharp's worry the injury-prone Head failed to return.

Tickle's two penalties, in the 29th and 39th minutes ensured Hull restored parity, albeit undeserved.

The second half began in a much more animated fashion, with both sides opting for a more expansive style.

With the Bradford left-hand side of Tupou and James Evans beginning to cause some problems, it was of little surprise when Richard Whiting was sent to the sin bin for holding the latter after a break.

Therefore, it came completely against the run of play when Graeme Horne handed Hull a 46th minute lead.

Tracking Evans after another break, the second-row managed to strip the ball from the centre and then, with the Bulls defence off-guard, raced 60-metres to the corner for a superb individual score.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as David Solomona filled a gap created by Ian Henderson's delightful pass to score, with Iestyn Harris' goal handing the power back to the visitors.

Hull's pack, led by the magnificent Paul King were starting to dominate though and were able to take a lead that they never surrendered shortly after the hour.

When referee Richard Silverwood handed Hull a dubious scrum 30-metres out, they seized the opportunity to press on and, having replaced Head, Tommy Lee held up a neat pass which was gathered and converted by the onrushing Tickle.

With the game seemingly up, Bradford had one final chance to take the spoils only for Nathan McAvoy to inexplicably spill the ball forward with the line at his mercy after Hape had dumped a pass over the top of Gareth Raynor.

To compound McAvoy's misery, Whiting played football with a loose ball for 30 metres along the right touchline before grounding for a third Hull try.