WHAT an effort! The supercharged Reds had the world champions on the ropes for the second time in two months.

But the Super League heavyweights had the brute force - and enough skill - to apply the sucker-punch to leave Salford dazed.

The Reds, far too good to go down on this form, were left frustrated with their sixth league defeat by eight points or less.

And boss Karl Harrison could not hide his displeasure at referee Ronnie Laughton.

The outstanding Andy Coley had a try disallowed 10 minutes from time, from Mal Alker's smart pass, which would have made it 28-28.

But Laughton penalised Gareth Haggerty for not playing the ball correctly, and Harrison fumed: "There was only one penalty for that offence all game. Refereeing standards are getting worse."

Pipped

Salford were pipped 25-18 at Bradford in April, with Michael Withers dropping a late goal.

And Withers had to resort to identical measures yesterday with another last-gasp one- pointer to finally kill off the Reds, who were without the injured Kevin McGuinness, Mark Shipway and Paul Highton.

Neutrals would have been staggered at Salford's 16-10 interval lead but it was no fluke.

Joel Caine capped a sizzling show by starting and finishing the move, also involving Martin Moana and Gavin Clinch, which brought the Reds' third try.

Alker had earlier broken his Super League duck for the season after smart work by powerhouse Neil Baynes - who wouldn't look out of place in the Bulls pack - and Simon Baldwin.

Clinch's clever reverse kick brought a try for Cliff Beverley, with Alker putting Coley over for the final touchdown.

Two tries in four minutes early in the second-half for the Bulls fired them ahead 22-16, before they opened a 12-point gap when lively sub Chris Bridge swept between Alker and Jason Flowers.

But it says much for Salford's new resilience that they didn't capitulate.

Nathan McAvoy and Alker summed up Salford's enthusiasm by chasing back to smother ex-Red Stuart Reardon, after a burst by Lesley Vainikolo.

Harrison added: "We've been competitive in all but three matches this season, and this was a great effort considering some players shouldn't have been on the park after a sickness bug.

"We deserved something out of the game."