Hull FC 34 Salford City Reds 12: Stylish success sees Hull keep up pressure on fellow contenders

Richard Agar's men have rarely been mentioned as genuine contenders to make a serious challenge to Wigan and Warrington, but this win, which leaves them six points adrift of the summit in fourth place, gives them a solid base going into the last 10 games of the season.

Hull made an enterprising start and could have gone ahead early on had Jordan Tansey taken in Sean Long's pass, but Salford withstood their initial barrage and were given a boost when Danny Houghton was sin-binned for holding down Stuart Littler.

Hull took the lead just before Houghton's return, with Craig Hall collecting Tansey's pass for a first try in two months, before captain Long got on the end of some good work from Hall and Houghton to go in as the clocked passed 20 minutes. But Salford were level within six minutes.

Karl Fitzpatrick was the first to score before forward Adam Sidlow belied his size by racing 50 metres to score after an offload from Phil Leuluai.

But Hull regained their lead when Richard Whiting squeezed in at the corner after some good handling from ex-Salford man Jordan Turner.

The start of the second-half was a drab affair until a moment of brilliance from Tansey sparked the game back to life.

The full-back collected the ball from the base of a scrum 30 metres out and, although some of Salford's attempts at tackling him were questionable, the ex-Sydney man showed admirable footwork and speed as he found a way to the try line.

The poor kicking of Jeremy and Matty Smith ensured that Hull were rarely troubled in defence and as the game reached the hour-mark, Turner's show-and-go run to the line ended any faint hopes the Lancashire side may have had of making a comeback.

Hall's second try and his eighth of the season finished things off with two minutes remaining, although Danny Tickle was unable to maintain his perfect record with the boot.

Hull: Tansey, Whiting, Turner, Yeaman, Hall, Washbrook, Long, Cusack, Houghton, Dowes, Manu, Tickle, Fitzgibbon. Substitutes: Berrigan, Lauaki, Moa, Radford.

Salford City Reds: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Henry, Talau, Gibson, J. Smith, M. Smith, Jewitt, Alker, Boyle, Sibbit, Littler, Swain. Substitutes: Leuluai, Sidlow, Adamson, Sneyd. Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).