JOHN Duffy paid a huge tribute to the players and medical staff of his injury-riddled Swinton Lions as they became the second Championship side to knock Super League opposition out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup this weekend.

Less than 24 hours after Hull KR had seen off Leigh 23-10, Duffy's Championship strugglers – just a place above the relegation zone – came from behind three times to win 28-24 in the fifth round at Huddersfield Giants.

Duffy could argue that Swinton's success was even more impressive than Rovers' because of their injury issues.

He said: "We only had 15 fit players. It was a massive achievement for the club but everything goes on the players and the medical staff today, nothing to do with the coaching staff.

"I'd like to thank our medical staff for doing a great job over the last couple of weeks. They have turned it around for us and the boys really dug deep.

"We had three new faces – two young lads on loan from Wigan Warriors (Josh Woods and Caine Barnes), who I thought were outstanding, plus Liam Carberry (out of contract), who has not played for five or six months.

"We've not been able to train properly through sore bodies and having two games in four days last week. But we came up with a simple plan and stuck to it and ended up grinding out a good win."

For dejected Huddersfield coach Rick Stone, it was the ninth game in total without a win.

The Giants were without around ten first-choice players and Stone said: "It wasn't good. It probably gives an indication of where our squad are at the moment.

"The depth and number of players out of the team at the moment hurt us a bit.

"I have no worries about the boys who were out there. They tried but the opposition came and challenged and were hungry and deserved their win.

"The Championship is full of hardened pros who have been around the block and know know to win games and we saw a bit of that.

"There's no denying it is a massive blow for us and everyone is very disappointed – you can feel it.

"There were a few senior players out, and a few long-term injuries and those with niggles, but we had a good enough team out to win and we didn't."

Aaron Murphy gave the Giants an ideal start with a converted try after only seven minutes but the Lions hit back through scores from Shaun Robinson and Rhodri Lloyd to lead 10-6.

Sam Wood and Darnell McIntosh then crossed to put the home side into a seemingly comfortable 18-10 advantage.

However, further Swinton tries from Michael Butt and Connor Dwyer either side of the break gave them the first sniff of a shock victory and, despite Oliver Roberts helping restore Huddersfield's advantage in the 66th minute, the lower league side refused to be denied.

Luke Waterworth grabbed the decisive try five minutes from time, which Chris Hankinson converted to add to Chris Atkin's earlier three goals.

Izaac Farrell, one of three players making their competitive debut for the home side, successfully kicked four out of four goals for the Giants but it was not enough to prevent their cup exit.

* TORONTO Wolfpack experienced defeat for the first time but demonstrated they can mix it with the big boys after going down 29-22 to 12-man Salford in their fifth-round tie.

The Canadian newcomers threatened to pull off an upset when latest signing Ryan Brierley scored on his debut to edge Toronto 16-12 in front after 26 minute.

The Red Devils then had winger Justin Carney sent off for dissent but rallied to see off Paul Rowley's men, who had eased through their first five matches in League One and knocked out London Broncos in the previous round of the cup.