A Ryan Sheridan drop-goal gave the Rhinos a crucial win over Super League strugglers Salford in a tense encounter at Headingley.

Having lost their last three home games, the pressure was on Daryl Powell's men to come up with a much-needed victory.

And after a dodgy start, when they trailed 8-0 inside six minutes, they looked to be cruising to a valuable two-point haul.

Five first-half tries put them firmly in control only for Salford to make the most of some slack defence.

First, Matt Adamson attempted to force a pass out without looking and only managed to hand the ball to Salford's Darren Treacy, who raced in from 50 yards.

Then the Reds were handed a penalty which Graham Holroyd kicked to put his side 8-0 ahead.

Leeds pulled a try back in the eighth minute when Kevin Sinfield's well-timed pass allowed Chev Walker to scamper over.

The Rhinos then went ahead for the first time on 16 minutes when a wonderful move involving Willie Poching and Adrian Vowles allowed Keith Senior to touch down.

Two tries in as many minutes from the Rhinos saw them take charge as Salford buckled under heavy pressure.

First, another wonderful pass from Sinfield opened up the home side again, with full-back Francis Cummins coasting through a huge hole in the visitors defence.

Then Leeds powerhouse Barrie McDermott grabbed his side's fourth try in the 28th minute by charging through three weak tackles.

Matt Diskin's try on the stroke of halftime opened up a 28-10 lead before the Reds roared back with touchdowns from Holroyd, Malcolm Alker, Alan Hunte and Danny Arnold (2).

Diskin and Ryan Sheridan crossed over for Leeds but they still needed Sheridan's late drop-goal to clinch the win.

Leeds: Cummins, Kirk, C. Walker, Senior, Pratt, Sinfield, Sheridan, Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Hay, Adamson, Vowles. Replacements: Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Poching, McGuire.

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

Referee: Peter Tabener (Wigan).