Halifax opened up a four-point gap over relegation-threatened Salford after a hard-fought victory at The Willows.

But it needed a second-half recovery from the Blue Sox to break the resistance of the Reds, who led 14-12 at half-time.

Salford went ahead with an eighth-minute penalty from former Halifax stand-off Graham Holroyd.

Then Salford bagged the first try after 10 minutes when veteran winger Alan Hunte went over.

Halifax were back on level terms when Stuart Donlan snapped up Holroyd's loose pass to race almost the full length of the field and Jamie Bloem added the conversion.

Salford notched their second try after 20 minutes when Mike Wainwright went over with Holroyd adding the goal.

In a seesaw first half, Halifax made it 12-12 with Andrew Dunemann's first try from acting half-back with Bloem adding the goal.

Salford held a slender half-time lead thanks to a Holroyd penalty after Jason Flowers was caught offside.

But Salford paid the price for too many mistakes in the second half with Halifax going ahead for the first time when David Woods streaked clear from Dunemann's pass and sub Gavin Clinch added the goal.

The Blue Sox sealed victory with a superb solo effort from Dunemann after 58 minutes and notched the final try in injury time from Australian Robbie Beckett from a quickly-taken tap penalty.

Bloem missed the touchline conversion but it was an impressive show from the Blue Sox.

Salford: Gibson, Hunte, Nicol, Littler, Arnold, Holroyd, Watson, Baynes, Alker, Highton, Jowitt, Treacey, Wainwright. Replacements: Southern, Blakeley, Coley, Ebrill.

Halifax: Flowers, Halpenny, Woods, Donlan, Beckett, Hammond, Dunemann, Gannon, Penkywicz, Birchall, Bloem, Brocklehurst, McMenemy. Replacements: Hobson, Thackray, Clayton, Clinch.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury).