Salford City Reds 28

Bradford Bulls 35

Paul Johnson and Lesley Vainikolo notched try-scoring doubles as the Bulls overturned a 16-10 half-time deficit to secure the two Tetley's Super League points at The Willows yesterday.

The Bulls ran out six tries to four winners but it took a Mick Withers field goal two minutes from time to make the points safe.

Regular scrum half Paul Deacon pulled out shortly before kick-off with a stomach complaint and, with Karl Pratt and Leon Pryce already on the injured list, the Bulls were forced to start with Withers at stand-off and skipper Robbie Paul at scrum half.

Chris Bridge was drafted into the squad and when Aaron Smith was knocked out of the game early with a head injury, Bridge slotted into the halves and Paul switched to hooker.

The changes worked in the Bulls' favour with Paul incisive and searching from dummy half and Bridge asking plenty of questions at first and second receiver. Bridge also took over the kicking duties from the erratic Withers, slotting all four attempts from a variety of angles to ensure the Bulls kept their noses in front.

Despite being mired in a relegation battle, Salford have been no soft touch this season and they were well worth their half-time lead.

The defending champions have been guilty of making far too many basic errors this term and it was miscommunication on a simple play between internationals Paul and Stuart Fielden that provided Salford with the chance to notch the opener.

Hulking prop Neil Baynes off-loaded close to the line and hooker Malcom Alker burrowed over despite the attentions of two tacklers.

Chris Charles added the conversion before Paul laid on a Bradford opener that could have been stamped 'Made in New Zealand'. Second row Logan Swann won the race to Paul's grubber and batted it into the path of the flying Shontayne Hape, who coasted around behind the posts for the try.

Withers added the simple conversion to tie the scores before Johnson made the most of Fielden's strong burst and Paul's snappy pass to cross out wide. Withers failed with his conversion attempt but Charles made no such mistake with a 12-metre penalty goal to pull back two points for Salford.

The Reds then hit the front when their own Kiwi - stand-off Cliff Beverley - collected scrum half Gavin Clinch's grubber to post his fourth try of the season against the Bulls.

Charles again added the simple conversion to leave the champions six points adrift at the break.

The Bulls came out firing for the second spell, two tries in two minutes putting them firmly back in control.

Johnson grabbed his second after Paul intelligently switched play to the blindside ten metres out and Vainikolo - who had already made two thunderous 70-metre breaks - pounced on a loose ball that Salford full back Jason Flowers had spilled in his own in-goal area.

Bridge slotted the conversions from wide out on both sides of the field to give the Bulls a six- point lead.

Any thoughts of Salford capitulating disappeared when the hosts strung together the move of the match to send Australian winger Joel Caine in under the posts. Scrum half Clinch provided the final pass and Charles to simple conversion to once again lock up the scores.

Referee Ronnie Laughton caned the Bulls 8-4 in the penalty count but he did them a favour by allowing Bridge to continue playing after he gave himself up following what looked to be a clear case of obstruction.

Expecting the penalty, the Salford players also stopped, and when Laughton waved play on, Bridge reacted quickest to jink his way through for a try under the posts.

Jamie Peacock looked to have sealed the match for the Bulls with a simple touchdown of Paul's grubber but Laughton ruled the try out for offside.

Salford thought they'd tied the match with ten minutes remaining when Coley crossed under the posts.

But Laughton correctly ruled that replacement forward Gareth Haggerty hadn't regained his feet when he played the ball in the build-up and the try was disallowed.

Salford must have wallowing in their misfortune when they allowed the Bulls to go the length of the field in three quick plays, ending with Vainikolo showing plenty of pace on the outside to score his second.

Bridge added injury to insult with another fine conversion to all but seal the match.

Coley did finally get his try - almost a carbon copy of the one that was ruled out - and Charles completed a perfect day with the boot to give Salford a chance to snatch a draw with a last-gasp try.

But the Bulls at last kept their heads and with two minutes remaining Withers stepped up to coolly give the Bulls a seven-point buffer.

His sweetly struck 20-metre field goal sailed through the posts.