Two second-half tries by Danny Halliwell and Lee Briers gave Warrington an important victory in what amounted to a relegation battle against Salford.

Both sides started the match just two points above bottom club Wakefield.

And winning Wolves coach David Plange admitted he was relieved at the final whistle.

He said: "It was very tense to watch but it was vital we gained the two points. That was our objective - it was a crucial game."

Warrington went into a 2-0 lead after three minutes when Lee Briers landed a penalty after a high tackle by Neil Baynes on Sid Domic.

But the Reds drew level midway through the first half with a Steve Blakely penalty after Greg Ebrill was held back.

Salford edged ahead 3-2 at half time thanks to a drop-goal from Welsh international Ian Watson five minutes before the break.

More gaps were created after the interval as both sides made mistakes.

Warrington regained the lead with a Briers penalty after 50 minutes when Andy Coley stole the ball from Ben Westwood.

Referee Steve Ganson sent Wolves' scrum-half Nathan Wood and Reds forward Warren Jowitt to the sin bin in the 58th minute after the pair scuffled.

Then Halliwell broke the try deadlock in the 63rd minute when he intercepted Blakeley's pass to race almost the full length of the field with Briers tagging on the conversion to make it 10-3.

Salford hit back immediately when Baynes crashed over from a quick tap penalty and Blakely grabbed the extras to reduce the gap to one point.

Briers extended the lead to 12-9 after 72 minutes after he was dragged back chasing his kick.

Warrington then sealed victory in injury time - thanks to Briers - who grabbed a late try before adding his fifth goal from five attempts.

Disappointed Salford boss Karl Harrison said: "We dominated long periods of the game but did not take our chances. We never looked like doing anything with the ball."

Warrington: Penny, Halliwell, Burns, Westwood, Alstead, Briers, N. Wood, Fozzard, Clarke, Hilton, Guisset, Marquet, Domic. Replacements: Mathers, P. Wood, Noone, Callan.

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

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).