Warrington ensured their Super League safety with a comfortable victory over the Tigers at Wilderspool.

The win, combined with Salford's 26-34 loss to Halifax, means the Wolves will preserve their ever-present status in the top flight with two rounds left.

Defeat for Castleford ended their five-match unbeaten run and dented hopes of a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

The Tigers are eighth, one point adrift of sixth place with Widnes and Salford left to play.

Warrington raced to a 12-0 lead after just seven minutes when Lee Briers and Dean Busby sent over Darren Burns before winger Graham Appo sprinted 70 metres to score.

The Tigers hit back when Michael Eagar's clever pass put in Waine Pryce in the corner.

Four minutes before half-time, Pryce turned provider when his pass out of the tackle allowed Eagar to score and reduce the deficit to 14-8 at the break.

Castleford were further hampered when loose-forward Ryan Hudson was sin-binned four minutes into the second half for a late challenge on Briers.

And the Wolves pressed home their advantage when Appo went over for his second try, followed by one from hooker Jon Clarke which Briers converted to make it 24-8.

Briers added two further penalties and a drop goal to render Eagar's second try late in the game redundant.

Warrington: O'Reilly, Smyth, Alstead, Westwood, Appo, Briers, N. Wood, Fozzard, Clarke, Hilton, Guisset, Busby, Burns.

Castleford: Rogers, Wells, Johnson, Eagar, Pryce, Orr, Healey, Warren, Bartrim, Lynch, Fritz, Smith, Hudson.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham)