SALFORD slipped to defeat against Super League basement boys Celtic Crusaders at Brewery Field on Saturday evening.

On the day former Salford and Wales legend David Watkins was made president of the Crusaders, this was a day the Welshmen had waited for since February.

However, it looked to be going the same way as the other games when Luke Adamson grabbed a try after two minutes before centre Stuart Littler made it 12-0, with full-back John Wilshere converting both touchdowns.

From somewhere, though, the Crusaders found some inner strength and began an outstanding comeback on 20 minutes when centre Marshall Chalk took a high ball on the sixth tackle on the Salford 25-yard line and raced over in the corner.

Wing Anthony Blackwood grabbed a try in the corner nine minutes later after a pass on the left in the Salford danger zone which full-back Damien Quinn, who had landed Chalk's conversion, booted as well.

That levelled matters and the Crusaders were soon in the lead. A drive upfield saw hooker Lincoln Withers dive in under some bodies from a few yards with Quinn's conversion simple.

The crowd, who have had little to cheer all season, were profoundly vocal and Salford looked decidedly unsettled for the rest of the game.

Shaun McRae's men had a number of chances to score but dropped the ball and made numerous errors as the pressure to score mounted.

Stand-off Matt Smith grabbed a fourth touchdown of the match which Quinn converted to give the Crusaders a 10-point lead.

And, from there, Salford lost control of the ball, gave away lots of penalties and were not really at the races.

A final Smith drop-goal in the 80th minute was just the finishing touch.

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