Holdsworth the hero for Reds
Daniel Holdsworth kicked a last-gasp penalty to give Salford their first win at their new stadium thanks to a 24-22 success over Hull.
Last Updated: 24/02/12 10:53pm
Daniel Holdsworth kicked a last-gasp penalty to give Salford their first win at their new stadium thanks to a 24-22 success over Hull.
Salford's Ashley Gibson and Hull's Brett Seymour each grabbed a double as the teams scored four tries apiece, but it was Holdsworth boot that ultimately proved decisive.
The Reds, who were beaten by Castleford in their first match at Salford City Stadium, led 10-0 before Hull fought back to go ahead 16-10 at the break.
The back-and-forth nature of the contest continued in the second half as the Reds levelled before Hull pulled away again, only to lose out to the hosts in dramatic fashion late on.
Salford made a fast start when they opened the scoring after Holdsworth's chip kick was collected by Ashley Gibson to cross in the corner, with Holdsworth adding the extras.
The home side, buoyed by their victory at Widnes last time out, continued to surge forward and extended their lead as Sean Gleeson's superb flick pass sent Gibson in for his second score midway through the first half.
Dummy
Hull hit back immediately, however, with Brett Seymour dummying over from close range, despite a controversial obstruction in the build-up, and Danny Tickle converting.
Chris Nero, making his 200th Super League appearance, snuffed out further danger for Salford moments later after beating Tickle to the ball following Danny Houghton's short kick through.
The Black and Whites were level though after half an hour with Wade McKinnon squeezing in at the corner despite the best efforts of Jodie Broughton.
Hull, who went into the contest boasting an unbeaten record, then went ahead just before the interval with the lively Seymour crashing over for his second try, with Tickle this time tacking on the extras.
But Salford rallied after the break and hit back with a great move involving Luke Patten to send Matty Ashurst crashing over and the scores were level.
The Airlie Birds had a lucky escape with Gibson denied a hat-trick on 55 minutes, but the same player then came to Salford's rescue at the other end, tapping the ball clear with Kirk Yeaman ready to pounce.
Pressure
The home side withstood more pressure with Shannon McPherson producing a magnificent try-saving tackle on the rampaging Tickle.
Salford's resistance finally cracked 15 minutes from time with quick hands from Willie Manu and Yeaman sending Tom Briscoe in at the corner.
Tickle booted the touchline conversion and the visitors led 22-16, but the Reds hit back with Aussie duo Holdsworth and Patten engineering the space for Gleeson to power over the try-line.
Holdsworth added the conversion to tie the scores and set up a tight finale, with the tension heightened when Richard Horne failed with a drop goal attempt five minutes from time.
Then, with less than two minutes remaining, Hull hooker Danny Houghton was penalised and it was left to the ice-cool Holdsworth to land a 45-metre penalty and delight the home fans.