Leeds find that losing is becoming a bad habit

The Leeds coach Daryl Powell was searching for positives after the Rhinos slumped to their fourth Super League defeat in five matches as Castleford ran out 32-24 winners at Headingley.

Some in the crowd called for the sacking of Powell and many left before the end as the visitors pulled themselves back into the play-off picture. Two tries from Jon Wells and further scores from Kyle Warren, Darren Rogers, Michael Smith and Waine Pryce secured a second successive win for Castleford, but Powell put on a brave face.

"There is no use in us being negative. We have to build on the positives," he said. "We were very patchy but we spoke at half-time about playing with enthusiasm and I thought that we did well in the second half.

"I was particularly pleased with the young players like Danny McGuire. They are the future of Leeds," he added.

McGuire scored two tries for the Rhinos and Adrian Vowles and Matt Diskin also got on the scoresheet.

Elsewhere, leaders Bradford survived a scare before extending their advantage at the top with a 30-18 win over bottom-placed Wakefield at Valley Parade.

Wakefield kept the result in the balance until the final 10 minutes, when an under-strength Bradford side finally secured victory with late tries from Mike Forshaw, Scott Naylor and Nathan McAvoy.

Hooker Jimmy Lowes limped off late in the first half as Wakefield fought their way back from 14-0 down to trail only 14-12 at the interval. Martin Moana's second try kept them within two points at 20-18 before the Bulls' late rally ended their hopes of pulling off a surprise result.