GARY Bowyer has called on Salford to find a more clinical edge to begin putting points on the board.

The pre-season promotion favourites have made a stuttering start to their League Two campaign with just one win in six matches.

Former Bantams boss Bowyer believes they are playing far better than the results indicate but have got to start punishing teams.

He was left frustrated by their latest defeat at Carlisle after Salford failed to take a string of chances.

“Performance-wise we should have been out of sight by half-time,” he admitted. “In terms of the way we played, first half especially, we’ve got to be more clinical it’s not secret.”

Salford’s only league win came in their last home game when they thumped Newport 3-0.

Bowyer added: “The lads have been really good in training for the five or six games as well, so it’s just those finer details at both ends of the pitch which we continue to work on.

“Performance-wise they are going the right way.”

Bowyer made three signings on deadline day – and all will be in contention to face City at the Peninsula Stadium.

Salford’s close connection with Manchester United brought in D’Mani Mellor on a season-long loan deal.

Mellor, who was on the bench at Brunton Park, can play wide as well as through the middle and made his senior United debut in the Europa League.

He follows Di’Shon Bernard who played 31 games for Salford last season from United.

Bernard is now at Hull, who allowed Salford to take defender Andy Smith for the whole campaign.

And the Ammies have brought in another man at the back with Donald Love, who left Shrewsbury in the summer, signing a one-year deal.

City fans have been warned to allow extra travel time to Salford because of the Parklife Festival, Old Trafford Test match and Man United home game all taking place.