SALFORD had their pockets picked as Hull KR guaranteed themselves a top-four finish.

Buoyed by last week's surprise 26-22 win at Harlequins, the Reds bossed the game from start to finish.

But Hull KR have their sights set on Grand Final glory and they defended like champions.

They were well organised and committed in defence and, although Salford impressed in most facets of the game, they lacked the killer instinct in attack.

Aussie prop Craig Stapleton returned from a one-match suspension for Salford.

But, despite last week's game-turning hero Stephen Nash having to pull out of the match at the last minute due to a virus, Salford coach Shaun McRae opted against recalling fit again duo Richard Myler and Jordan Turner.

They are thought to be heading to Warrington and Hull FC respectively at the end of the season and McRae chose  instead to hand 18-year-old loose forward Jack Spencer his Reds debut from the substitutes' bench.

The local lad played well, but the lack of try-scoring ability in the side ultimately cost Salford dear.

With overseas props Stapleton, Ray Cashmere and Phil Leuluai bullying Rovers' big men down the middle and skilful youngster Stefan Ratchford looking increasingly mature at stand off, Salford dominated and the fact that they trailed 6-0 at the interval was a surprise.

The Reds had countless opportunities to cross the whitewash but some untimely errors and some excellent scrambling defence from Rovers denied Salford the points that their considerable endeavor deserved.

Luke Adamson and Mark Henry could count themselves unlucky to be tackled inches short of the try line.

And Hull delivered the ultimate sucker punch on 36 minutes when scrum half star Michael Dobson, who had been well shackled until them, sent in Clint Newton racing over before slotting over the simple conversion.

Salford remained on top at the start of the second half and their reward eventually came when Adamson Sidlow barged his way over from close range from a Robbie Paul pass.

John Wilshere's goal tied the scores up at 6-6 but Salford soon found themselves a man short as Stapleton was sin-binned for a late shot on Dobson.

Rovers' scrum half slotted over the resulting penalty but Hull's numerical advantage did not last for long as Ben Cockayne was yellow carded for a late tackle on Paul.

Shaun Briscoe's late try effectively sealed the points for Rovers, who have now won four games on the spin, with Ratfchford's last-minute score from a well weighted Jeremy Smith kick a consolation.