Salford travelled to Wheldon Road for the challenge cup tie against Castleford in good spirits after last week.
It's a tense start with both sides looking nervous and desperate not to give any ground away. Salford carve out an early chance but George griffin can't take the ball and spills close to the line.
After 8 minutes Salford take the lead Junior Sau spots a gap and charges through beating the Tigers defence to race 30 yards to score a brilliant individual try! Gareth O Brien kicks the goal. 0-6.
From the kick off Michael Dobson takes the ball out on the full. Rather unlucky but his feet were off the ground so the correct decision was drop out. Salford put themselves straight back under pressure with the error. The Tigers attack and kick out wide were Salford were vulnerable all day. Grant Millington comes up with the ball to score and Paul mcshane adds the goal and the scores are tied at 6-6.
It's almost 20 minutes before the next points when Robert Lui puts a super grubber kick and the prolific Sau is there again for his 8th try in three games. Gaz O Briens kick is good and Salford lead 6-12.
It's a real cup tie now with non stop action and played at a real pace. 5 minutes before the break and again Salford fail to deal with a high kick as Jake Webster scores. McShane kicks the goal 12-12.
From the kick off cas attack down the right. Michael Monaghan seems to stand in the tackle for so long before off loading. The Tigers keep the ball alive and score with Mike Mcmeeken. McShane again kicks the goal and despite leading twice Salford trail at half time 18-12.
Castleford come out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half. From the first set Denny Solomona goes over in the corner with Salford debutant Daniel Vidot looking to have dislodged the ball in a fine tackle. The video referee is called upon and after a good look awards the try. To say it was a harsh decision is a understatement as the photo below shows. The game turns on this moment and Salford players and fans have every right to feel aggrieved about such a poor decision which ultimately cost them their place in the cup.
The Tigers start to throw everything at Salford. The kicks out wide causing real problems a Paul mcshane is instrumental.
It's another dangerous kick to the corner but Daniel Vidot is tackled in the air and Salford were let off the hook.
Back to back penalties allows Salford to get on the front foot and attack the Tigers line. Robert Lui spots a gap and soars through to score. O Brien kicks the goal and Salford are right back in the match 22-18 with half an hour to play.
The Tigers attack again playing with a real enthusiasm, Paul Mcshane bumps off some real soft tackling close to the line to score. He adds the goal and it's a ten point gap once again.
Salford are now chasing the game and start to attack. The dangerous Lui sees a gap close to the Tigers line, throws a real ambitious pass for carney but the ball ends up in touch.
Castleford had Salford at arms length for most of the closing period. Michael Dobson desperate to get Salford back in the contest throws a lucrative pass which is intercepted by Solomona who races the full length of the pitch to cap off a good day for Castleford. McShane can't add the kick and it finished 32-18.
A real disappointment for Salford and are travelling supporters. There was a belief we could go far in the cup. It was a poor display and we were beaten in most departments which will be a concern to Ian Watson and Tim Sheens.
It's on to St Helens on Friday. A place we haven't won at since January 1980. It's going to be tough but a win there puts us back In the hunt for the top 8.
Paul Whiteside away day red!
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