Castleford cling on to down Red Devils

nathanmassey - Cropped

Castleford Tigers held off a late fightback from a depleted Salford Red Devils side to triumph 22-20 in Super League.

Salford headed into Sunday's clash at the A J Bell Stadium shorn of options with four players suspended and a further six injured, leading to assistant coach Ian Watson training in midweek in case he was required to make a playing return at the age of 38.

Cas, hammered 46-16 by Widnes Vikings last time out, did just enough to take advantage - although late scores from Kevin Locke and Scott Taylor set up a grandstand finish.

Salford made a great start with a try in the fourth minute when Theo Fages collected a dropped ball and dived over the line, before Locke touched down in the 23rd minute to increase the lead.

But the visitors hit straight back when Ashley Gibson finished a flowing Castleford attack against his former club and then ensured it was 10-10 at the break after collecting Michael Shenton's excellent cross-field kick.

The turnaround was complete six minutes after the restart when Nathan Massey held off Niall Evalds' challenge, before Ash Robson marked his Cas debut in style with a converted try that stretched the lead.

Locke scored his second try of the afternoon to bring Salford back into the game, but he missed the following conversion.

There was a delay to proceedings when referee George Stokes turned his ankle and had to be assisted from the field, with replacement official Chris Leatherbarrow taking the whistle.

When play resumed, Taylor scored in the 79th minute after his kick bounced back off the post pad, but, despite Greg Johnson providing the conversion, it proved too little too late.

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