Bradford`s gallant bid to make the Super League play-offs ended in France on Saturday as a 50-26 victory for the Catalan Dragons ensured Wakefield will finish in the top eight.
Having fought the odds all season owing to the off-the-field troubles at the club, Bradford went into Saturday`s game knowing that because of a six-point deduction they had to win and hope Wakefield then lost at Salford.
However, with the Dragons running in 10 tries, Wakefield`s result became irrelevant, with Bradford`s plucky attempt coming to nothing.
Were it not for the deduction, issued to them after they entered administration in July, Bradford would have made the grade by some distance.
Their season is now over, though, and the focus will shift to the future of coach Mick Potter - who worked for free for two months after being made redundant - and a number of leading players.
Wakefield`s reward - barring a huge points difference swing - is a visit to Leeds next weekend, while the Catalans, fourth-placed finishers, will take on Wigan.
Clint Greenshields scored a hat-trick of tries for the Dragons with Vincent Duport, Setaimata Sa, Louis Anderson, Steve Menzies, Daryl Millard and Scott Dureau also crossing and Dureau booting seven goals.
Jarrod Sammut scored four of the Bulls tries with Michael Platt adding the other.
