Tigers sneak past Salford

Orr: dived over for a crucial late try

Castleford scored seven points in the final seven minutes at the Willows to clinch a hard-fought 15-8 triumph over Salford.

Danny Orr crashed over for a late try to put the Tigers ahead before half-back partner Rangi Chase sealed victory for the visitors with a drop goal.

Kirk Dixon had landed three crucial goals for Terry Matterson's side, including converting Jordan Thompson's 43rd-minute try to make it eight apiece.

Salford, who were looking for a third straight win since announcing the appointment of Matt Parish as their new coach, did actually cross twice, though Jodie Broughton and Daniel Holdsworth, but it was not enough.

Started brightly

Australian Parish is still yet to arrive at the club but his new team, boosted by their shock win over Warrington last time out, started brightly in his absence.

Broughton and Chris Nero both went close before Holdsworth was held up over the line by some desperate defending by Castleford.

It was not until 33 minutes that the deadlock was finally broken with a try that started with a Lee Jewitt break down the middle of the field.

Mark Henry and Luke Patten were both on hand in support and it was the latter who sent the ball out wide for Broughton to cross in the corner.

Castleford eventually responded in the closing minute of the half when the home team were penalised for knocking the ball from Orr's grasp, allowing Dixon to kick two points to make it 4-2 at the break.

The visitors then started the second half much more positively and went ahead as Chase and Richie Mathers created a try for Thompson.

Dixon converted to extend the lead, though they would have fallen behind again soon after had Matty Smith passed to the supporting Broughton rather than go it alone.

Indecision

Salford did finally touch down for a second time on the hour mark when Sean Gleeson made the most of indecision in the Castleford ranks to flick a bouncing ball back into the path of the grateful Holdsworth.

However, the try-scorer's failure to convert for a second time left the scores tied and set up a tense final 20 minutes of a tight contest.

Eventually the key moment came when a 40-20 kick by Chase led to Orr plunging over from dummy half right underneath the posts.

The conversion was easy enough for winger Dixon, making it a six-point gap, and Chase sealed the points for Cas with a drop goal as time ran out.