 | MATCH SUMMARY Salford (10) 18
Tries: Coley, Hodgson
Goals: Hodgson 5 Leeds (6) 19
Tries: Walker, Poching, McGuire
Goals: Sinfield 3
Drop: McGuire |
A late drop-goal from Danny McGuire sealed a dramatic victory for Leeds over Salford at The Willows. Tries from Andy Coley and David Hodgson had put Salford in control, Hodgson also kicking five goals to leave Leeds trailing 18-12 with 20 minutes to go.
But McGuire scored his 19th try of the season after 61 minutes and Kevin Sinfield's goal levelled the scores.
Both sides had chances to clinch the winning score, but it was McGuire who scored the decisive point.
It was Salford's third loss to the Rhinos this season and their seventh defeat in nine games, but they put the visitors under early pressure and took the lead after eight minutes through Coley.
The Rhinos responded quickly with McGuire breaking from halfway to create a score for Chev Walker and Sinfield added the extras.
Leeds looked to take charge but Salford hit back again with Hodgson landing two penalties to put his side ahead at the break.
Leeds lifted the tempo in the second half with Willie Poching powering through to score and Sinfield converting to edge the visitors ahead for the first time.
Hodgson levelled it up with another penalty and then converted his own try to set up a tense finish.
But McGuire's late intervention means the Reds have still to beat the Rhinos in Super League.
Salford boss Karl Harrison:
"It feels like we have been mugged. I am sick to death of it. "Tough calls cost us. The last-minute yardage penalty was no more than any other tackle in the game and we had a perfectly good try disallowed.
"I am sick of my players being done because we are Salford. This is the first time I have moaned all year."
Leeds coach Tony Smith:
"We played over 80 minutes and scored three tries to two. We got one field goal and it still adds up to a win. "Each time we come here we give credit to the opposition and not much comes
back the other way.
"Unfortunately that is the way it seems to be. We can handle defeat with dignity and it is about time some other teams did."
Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Langi, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Brocklehurst, Sibbit, Finnigan.
Replacements: Myler, Charles, Highton, Haggerty.
Leeds: Smith, Donald, Walker, Senior, Williams, McGuire, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Diskin, Feather, Peacock, Ellis, Sinfield.
Replacements: Millard, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Poching.
Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)
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