�鶹��

Salford ended Hull FC's Super League play-off hopes with a 28-22 victory.

Krisnan Inu got 14 of Salford's 18 first-half points as he levelled after Jamie Shaul's opener and got his side's third try after Andre Savelio's score was cancelled out by Joey Lussick.

Rhys Williams put Salford further ahead after the break, Shaul got his second try in reply, but Andy Ackers' try soon after put Salford out of sight.

Jordan Lane's try gave Hull hope but Salford held on to claim the win.

Hull remain eighth in the table, but their record of only five wins from 12 games means their win percentage rate - on which the final table will be calculated this season - is far inferior to the sides near the top, even with another seven scheduled fixtures still to play.

Hull dominated the early territory and were rewarded when Shaul got his sixth try of the season after 11 minutes as the Black and Whites looked like they would go on to win well.

But Salford made the most of Carlos Tuimavave giving away a penalty to relieve the pressure on the Red Devils and soon after Inu was able to score after good work from Kevin Brown.

It looked as though the momentum had swung again just three minutes later as Dan Sarginson was sin-binned for a high hit on Shaul as he gathered a high kick on his own try line, and Shaul's team-mates took advantage of the extra man when Savelio scored with his first touch.

But Hull were again the masters of their own downfall as Mahe Fonua knocked on a metre from his own goal line and Lussick powered through before Inu went over in the left corner seven minutes later after a wonderful move ended with another excellent pass from Brown to the New Zealand international.

Salford scored first after the break as Williams' perfectly-timed run saw him get on the end of Tui Lolohea's kick over the defence to extend the lead, but Shaul got his 100th Hull try a couple of minutes later to give his side hope.

But it was the stellar Brown who again set up a Salford try as the 35-year-old's excellent side-step and offload put Ackers over from a metre as the Red Devils looked to have put the game to bed.

Lane sprinted in from 40 metres to bring the Black and Whites to within a score of their opponents and ensure a tense finish, but Salford held on.

After the game Salford forward Mark Flanagan announced he would retire at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old began his career at Wigan before a spells at NRL side Wests Tigers, St Helens and the last four years at Salford.

Post-match reaction

Salford coach Ian Watson:

"Kev [Brown] has been getting better and better every week. He's a pivotal player in making us better.

"He was finding his feet before the lockdown and in the last two weeks he's really got a grip with the team.

"He's fit and in good condition, age doesn't come into it. He ran a marathon during lockdown."

Hull interim head coach Andy Last:

"We had spoken about turning the ball over on our terms and I thought we did that very well in the first half but our soft underbelly reared its head.

"We lacked composure in that second half. Our last-play options were not where they needed to be and their half-backs kicked the ball better than we did.

"We've professional pride to play for. They need to make sure they need to represent this club the way they should."

Hull FC: Shaul; Scott, Fonua, Griffin, Faraimo; Tuimavave, Connor; Satae, Houghton, Bowden, Laney, Ma'u, Sao

Interchanges: Cator, Fash, Savelio, Brown

Salford: Sarginson; Williams, Welham, Watkins, Inu; Lolohea, Brown; Dudson, Lussick, Yates, Roberts, Ormondroyd, Flanagan

Interchanges: Pauli, Ikahihifo, Burke, Ackers