SALFORD Redsé hopes of a top-six finish suffered a major blow as Harlequins snatched a dramatic victory thanks to Henry Paulés drop goal.

Pat Weisnerés 78th minute try tied the scores but Paul, back from rugby union, stepped up to fire over to break Reds hearts.

Defeat was a sickener for Salford boss Karl Harrison, who is set to sign an extended three-year contract later this week.

He believed Reds were on course for a win after Gareth Haggerty scored a try and Stuart Littler had earlier bagged a hat-trick, all made by Andrew Dunemann.

Harrison said: éItés extremely disappointing to lose like that.

éWe could, and should, have won it. We lost the game just like we did at Castleford the other week.

éWe had this one won three times, but you canét give their players some of the space we did. The points were ours for the taking.

éWe tried very hard but we werenét really there at times and we now have to get back on the horse and ride it again in Sundayés Challenge Cup clash at Huddersfield.éé

Jackpot

Harlequins match-winner Henry Paul said he never had the chance to fire over a drop goal when in rugby union at Gloucester, but he hit the jackpot to earn Harlequins a win that does little for Wigan, his former club, at the foot of the table.

He said: éIt was a good game and the boys gave me a very good wall é I just slung it over. I never tried one in union é I always wanted to run it.é

Quins could not have made a better start with Danny Williams collecting Paulés kick to put his side ahead after only four minutes. But Salford hit back with two Littler tries in six minutes.
Harlequins responded by notching two more tries before the break to lead 18-12, with Solomon Haumono going over taking Paulés pass to charge over and then Lee Hopkins piling on the agony after a mistake by Haggerty.

Salford levelled in the 51st minute with Ian Sibbit supporting Malcolm Alkerés scorching break and Myler booting the goal before Littler completed his hat-trick to make it 22-18.

But there was no denying Quins who were back on level terms with McLinden squeezing over in the corner with 14 minutes left.

Haggerty made it 28-22 for %Salford before Weisner levelled again é until Paul popped up with the winner.

Reds have major injury problems ahead of Sundayés cup clash.

Karl Fitzpatrick who missed last nightés game with a pinched nerve could be out for up to two months. John Wilshere and Kevin McGuinness are also sidelined.

What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.

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