Last night Salford suffered late heartbreak as Ex Red Matty Smith prouduced a stunning late drop goal to snatch the points for the Saints. Paul Whiteside looks back at the late drama which unfolded at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The last time Salford won away at St Helens The pretenders were number one in the charts, a pint of beer was 33 pence and US president Jimmy Carter was about to announce his country's boycott of the Olympic Games! January 1980 a Kevin Ashcroft drop goal the difference in a 17-18 victory at Knowsley road.
37 year later Salford are riding high in the table and in their first cup semi final since 1998 they took on a St. Helens side who have there own desires to make the top four.
The opening ten minutes were tight with defences on top. Salford got the first points from Todd Carneys penalty goal. 0-2. Shortly after Mark Flanagan hits a crash ball only to be denied a try by superb saints defence.
The home side took the lead in the 24th minute when Matty Smith opened the Red Devil's defence with a smart dummy. Mark Percival adding the goal 6-2. 5 minutes later saints stretch the lead with a penalty after Kris Welham was penalised for a high tackle. 8-2.
Saints first half defence is almost faultless until the hooter sounds then a speculative Carney kick is fumbled allowing Niall Evalds to pounce under the posts. Carneys kick levels the scores at half time. 8-8.
Whatever Ian Watson said to his players at half time had a great effect. Salford coming out with renewed energy and gusto, Josh Jones following up his own kick to trap Saints in goal forcing a drop out. Lui and Evalds combine to send Greg Johnson over for a super Salford try in the corner. Carney hits the post with the conversation attempt 8-12.
The Red Devil's continue to work hard in defence with some good solid sets. Carneys kicking game pinning the saints back in there own half. The Australian really starts to take control of the game.
The excellent Kris Brining with a rip roaring run provides the stage for Lui to work some magic dancing his way over the line to open up a gap for Salford. Carneys goal is good 8-18.
Saints first real chance of the second half is snuffed out by Lui who's excellent tackle denies young Regan Grace a try.
Salford's next try comes after 3 successive drops out grind saints down. Niall Evalds finishes superbly off Todd Carneys pin point kick. Carneys goal is tagged on 8-24.
As the game approaches the final ten minutes the Red Devil's seem on course for a famous win. James Roby comes up with a quick fire score which Percival converts 14-24.
Moments later Theo Fages forces a drop. The pressure starts to build as Saints throw caution to the wind. Grace spins out of Johnsons tackle to crash over in the corner. Percival can't convert 18-24. With just two minutes remaining saints break again with Matty smith. Johnny lomax completes a famous comeback with a try under the posts. Percival converts to level the scores 24-24 with a minute remaining.
Salford defend a set from the kick off as a draw seems the likely result. As the hooter sounds Robert Lui puts a kick through in a crazy situation. Matty Smith comes up with possession to drop a goal from 40 yards out as a great escape is completed with Salford snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Ian Watson was bitterly disappointed after the game with the last ten minutes of the match. Salford need to learn to close games like this down especially as the business end of the season will soon be on us. After a pulsating roller coaster second half the long wait continues for Salford. Final score
St. Helens 25 Salford 24.
Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail. All the latest Salford Red Devil's news and chat. Ryan Wilkinson joins us to talk about the latest challenge cup ticket news, BBC radio Manchester's Phil Kinsella on the next step for Salford and lots more Salford chat. Tune in here
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