Castleford: (12) 22 Tries: Mellor 3, Maloney Goals: Maloney, Godwin 2 Salford: (6) 24 Tries: Alker, Coley, Fitzpatrick 2 Goals: Charles 4

Salford's win keeps them up, but the Tigers' points difference leaves them facing relegation with two games to go.

The Tigers had opened up a 12-0 lead thanks to two Paul Mellor tries, but seconds before half-time Malcolm Alker crossed for Salford.

And in a tense second-half, Salford did just enough to stay in front.

Castleford are four points off Widnes, whom they face next week, and need to win both of their last two matches to hope to avoid the drop.

But their inferior points difference leaves them looking for an unlikely escape, with a single league point for Widnes enough to kill off their hopes.

However, Tigers coach Gary Mercer refused to concede defeat.

I can't fault the commitment but we have now got to do it again Tigers coach Gary Mercer

"We're not out of it. We've now got to go to Widnes and win," he said.

"I can't fault the commitment but we have now got to do it again next week."

Salford coach Karl Harrison paid tribute to his side's character.

"To come to a place like this and put in a performance like we did showed the marvellous resilience throughout the squad," he said.

"We have worked really hard and been competitive in 75% of our games. We have got a never-say-die spirit."

Both teams struggled in a nervous opening, but Castleford made the first breakthrough on 24 minutes when Mellor got on the end of a Brad Davis bomb on.

Wayne Godwin raised the Tigers' spirits with a touchline conversion and there was more good news for Castleford as Salford's Stuart Littler was penalised for an obstruction on Mellor, who appeared to retaliate by elbowing Littler.

Mellor escaped punishment though and then took Davis' flat pass to barge his way over. Francis Maloney's conversion gave Castleford a 12-0 lead.

But with seconds to go before half time, Cas' Damien Gibson was unable to gather a high kick and Salford skipper Malcolm Alker took advantage to go over under the posts.

We have worked really hard and been competitive in 75% of our games Salford coach Karl Harrison

Buoyed by their end to the first half, the Reds began the second with another try as Karl Fitzpatrick jinked over with some impressive footwork.

The momentum had shifted to Salford, and they moved into the lead on 49 minutes when Andy Coley powered through for a try.

Castleford's tenacity shone through though and they responded almost immediately through Maloney after Craig Greenhill offloaded almost on the try-line.

The luck looked to be with the Tigers as they saw Salford's Littler sent to the sin-bin with 20 minutes to go.

But Castleford lost their composure, regularly forcing the pass early in the tackle count and it was Salford who edged into the lead as Fitzpatrick got on the end of a flowing move.

As desperation began to creep in for Castleford, Mellor crossed for his hat-trick in the corner.

Godwin saw his attempted conversion sail agonisingly wide and despite pounding the Salford line, Castleford were unable to find the break to give themselves a Super League lifeline.

Castleford: Gibson, Pryce, Saxton, Rogers, Mellor, Davis, Maloney, Greenhill, Godwin, Lynch, Harland, Crouch, Hudson.
Replacements: Sykes, Tookey, Hepworth, Jackson.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Caine, Littler, Beverley, Stewart, McGuinness, Clinch, Baynes, Alker, Highton, Coley, Rutgerson, Charles.
Replacements: Haggerty, Johnson, Shipway, Baldwin.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)