Brian McDermott insists it is performances and not wins that are the focus for Harlequins RL despite the Londoners propping up the Super League table.

Quins turned in a creditable display on the road on Friday night, pushing Bradford Bulls all the way before slipping to a 19-12 defeat.

But the Quins coach denied seeing the Odsal setback as a missed opportunity.

McDermott said: “I do not see it like that at all.

“I know people are talking about wins and losses and pointing fingers but for me it is not about that.

“It is about us performing, getting players back and getting some consistency in what we are doing out on the field.

“With Huddersfield and Bradford that is now two games in a row where we have really fronted up and done some good stuff.

“Could we have won the game? Yes.

“But there were plenty of positives and that is what we have to take from it.”

Chris Melling and Danny Orr grabbed tries as Quins threatened an upset.

The visitors were clearly buoyed by the return of stand-off Luke Gale, and McDermott admitted the attacking play gave him real cause for optimism.

He added: “I thought we did a lot of good stuff with the ball.

“People keep saying we should throw the ball around more and that is what we have wanted to do all year.

“But you have to be smart when you play sides and know when to do it.

“I thought against Bradford it was just that final pass or an erratic play that let us down, but the players were trying things and credit to them for that.

“We definitely troubled Bradford and it is now up to us to build on that in the Easter games.”

Harlequins RL’s next three matches: Apr 5 Hull KR (h), 10 St Helens (h), 17 Wakefield (CC, h)