FANS being invited to sign protest petitions outside grounds always triggers intrigue and arouses suspicion of unrest.

Many fans outside The Willows on Friday night initially wondered: Was this a knock-on effect to last week's crushing defeat at Warrington for the Reds?

Thankfully, it wasn't. Those with clipboards were calling for the head of local MP Hazel Blears.

Salford were simply intent on capturing the Wildcats' scalp, but they trailed 12-0 in as many minutes and again came up short.

Not the best of home returns, then, for chairman John Wilkinson, from his holiday as Oliver Wilkes and Shaun Gleeson sliced through for early Trinity tries.

Big Ray Cashmere put in a good early shift for the Reds, but Trinity seized the initiative and laid the platforms for victory. Salford's season may be over, but Trinity are chasing the play-off.

Reds again conceded needless penalties but finally got on the scoresheet with a try from Dean McGilveray followed Richard Myler's wicked kick.

It was game on, but a killer blow came on the stroke of half-time when Trinity collected their own kickoff and ex-Reds prop Michael Korkidas charged over.

Penalty

This, no doubt, altered the half-time team talk from Reds boss Shaun McRae.

Despite what he said, Scott Grix then scored the first try of the second period after another penalty put Reds on the back foot.

Dale Ferguson then extended Trinity's lead with the fourth try. Unsung hero Cashmere had returned by now, but could do little to prevent the Reds, who again lacked pattern, slipping to a fourth defeat. They were playing catch-up at this point.

The ever-keen McGilveray added his second try, with more good awareness, and Cashmere was held up inches short. But Trinity's advantage was always too great.

Reds were hoping to restore pride following humiliation at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, but it wasn't to be.

Trinity continued to hunt for more points on a night when Salford fans had little to get excited about, apart from one bone-jarring Luke Adamson tackle on Ricky Bibey.

McRae's men never threw in the towel, but with Stefan Ratchford again operating in the centre, individual effort just wasn't enough.

The Reds regained some pride with two late tries from big Phil Leuluai but it just wasn't to be. For Reds, Cash-mere and winger McGilvray certainly didn't deserve to end up on the losing side.

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