Hull come from behind to beat Salford 24-20 at KC Stadium
Last Updated: 04/05/15 12:28pm
Setaimata Sa's late try saw Hull come from behind to beat an injury-ravaged Salford side 24-20 at the KC Stadium.
Salford wanted the game postponed with injuries and suspensions depriving them of a number of players, but they got off to blistering start, taking a fourth-minute lead through Kevin Locke’s try.
Tom Lineham got Hull back on level terms, scoring his 11th try of the season on the half-hour mark, with the Hull man sin-binned in the aftermath.
On-loan Wigan pair James Greenwood and Oliver Gildart scored their first Salford tries either side of Fetuli Talanoa's effort before Mark Minichiello got Hull back to within two points of the Red Devils at 20-18.
Setaimata Sa edged Hull ahead for the first time in the game in the 71st minute and they stood firm to celebrate a nervy victory on the final hooter.
Hull fielded a weakened side of their own with eight players sidelined by injury and Mickey Paea suspended.
The first try was always going to be a big boost to either side and it was Salford who got it as Theo Fages' well-directed high kick was brilliantly taken and touched down by Locke.
Fages added the extras and then slotted over another two points when Hull were penalised for interference.
Lineham thought he had got Hull back into the contest when he went over spectacularly in the corner only to see the try disallowed when replays showed his foot had strayed into touch.
But the Hull winger was not to be denied a minute later as he took Jordan Rankin's looping pass before showing blistering pace to beat covering Salford defenders to the line.
Lineham had given a penalty away for dissent after his first effort had been ruled out and he was too vocal for Child's liking after successfully touching down, with the referee sending him to the bin.
Sneyd converted from out wide to reduce the deficit to two points and it remained 8-6 until Lineham rejoined the action in the early stages of the second half.
But Salford were soon celebrating their second try of the night after Johnson snaked across from the wing and threw out an offload which bounced into the grateful hands of Greenwood.
Hull responded positively and were back to within two points of their visitors when Sneyd converted Talanoa's powerful effort which owed much to Danny Houghton's smart footwork from a penalty.
But Salford refused to relinquish their lead and they stretched it again as Gildart pounced on Fages' dab through just before the deadball line.
The sides continued to exchange tries as Minichiello powered his way over and Sneyd added the extras to make it a two-point game once again.
Hull piled on the pressure and scored the game-breaking try through Sa, who teased the Salford defence before dummying and reaching out to score.