11 September 2023 , 11:16
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Salford boss Paul Rowley watched “all hell break loose” and insisted: “We deserved that win.”
The Red Devils kept their play-off hopes alive after Sam Stone dramatically scored an 84th minute Golden Point extra-time try. The crucial win draws them level with gutted opponents Warrington in sixth with just two games remaining. But an error-ridden fixture got chaotic in the final stages before Stone finally settled it in style.
An unexpected cut-out pass from prop Brad Singleton gave Tim Lafai just enough time to give Joe Burgess some space, the ex-England winger doing brilliantly to turn Josh Thewlis inside out and race clear from halfway. Aussie Stone motored up in support to send the Salford faithful wild. It was fitting that Singleton played a pivotal role having suffered a moment of madness to cost his side the chance of victory in normal time.
He had taken a carry close to the Warrington line and Marc Sneyd was ready behind, lining up for a 79th minute drop goal attempt. But Singleton inexplicably shoved marker Matt Dufty in the face when getting up and conceded a penalty to let Wolves off the hook. Sneyd, who reached 2,000 Super League points with the 74th minute penalty that levelled the game at 20-20, did have a drop goal in extra-time.
But that struck a post and bounced back out before Rowley’s side finally got things right. He said: “It was very entertaining and I’m sure it was good for the people watching at home (on Channel 4 ). But it was nerve-wracking here. We won the game twice and worked really hard for our tries but gifted them two with clean drops.
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“We got ourselves back into it but all hell broke loose at the end didn’t it? We’ve repped out playing ‘eyes-up’ rugby enough times, though, to take the opportunity and fair play to Budgie (Burgess). He’s done a job on Thewlis and hats off to Sam Stone, too. He’s just done all 85 minutes as a back-row so it was a tremendous effort to get there in support. I’m really pleased and it’s reward for our hard work. We deserved the win. We knew this was do-or-die for us and we’ve given ourselves a chance now.”
Salford's Brodie Croft scores against Warrington (MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)Man of Steel Brodie Croft (2) and Ben Hellewell scored Salford’s other tries with Matty Nicholson, Ben Currie and Eng;and captain George Williams crossing for Warrington. Stefan Ratchford slotted four goals but his side were scrappy throughout and now only hold a top-six spot on points difference ahead of Friday’s visit from champions St Helens. Interim head coach Gary Chambers admitted: “The players are shattered. We were clunky and never really got into our stride. We just didn’t hit it today.”