Castleford bounced back from two defeats by grinding out a hard-earned win over relegation-threatened Salford.

Two tries in the last 13 minutes from loose-forward Ryan Hudson and winger Jon Wells, with his second, finally killed off the Reds.

Graham Holroyd got their only point with a first-half penalty goal as they slipped to a ninth successive defeat.

Wayne Bartrim put Castleford ahead with a 14th-minute penalty goal after Salford were penalised for holding down Waine Pryce.

The Tigers got the opening try two minutes later when captain Danny Orr made the opening for Bartrim to go in and the Aussie hooker added his second goal.

Spurned

Salford fell further behind in the 23rd minute when Gary Broadbent failed to deal with Mitch Healey's kick to the corner and Wells pounced for his first touchdown.

The Tigers were forced to drop out from under their own posts three times as Salford tried hard to get back into the match.

The Reds spurned two penalty goal attempts by running the ball but were unable to crack Castleford's solid defence.

Salford's hopes of gaining revenge for their 74-16 home defeat against Castleford earlier this season faded early in the second half.

Eagar made amends for his earlier miss by finishing a move involving Bartrim, Harland and Orr.

Salford went close when Michael Wainwright put in a kick to the corner but Castleford's Michael Smith narrowly beat Hunte to the ball.

The Tigers put the result beyond doubt two minutes later when Hudson dummied his way over.

Wells collected his second six minutes from time by cashing in on another kick from Healey.

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

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield)