Out-of-form Hull KR paid for a slow start as they slipped to defeat in this engage Super League contest with Salford.

Without a win in five league matches, the last thing Rovers wanted was to find themselves 16-0 down inside seven minutes.

But within a minute David Berthezene sent away Luke Robinson, who in turn found Aaron Moule for the centre to put in his John Wilshere for the opening try.

Wilshere added the conversion and on four minutes he added a second goal after Robinson opened the door for Luke Dorn.

Moule then raced over the line on seven minutes for an unconverted try.

Paul Cooke, the centre of speculation in the city over a move from Hull FC to Rovers, did nothing to quell the talk by turning out - as he often does to watch what he has admitted is his favourite club in action.

And he must have wished he could have helped Rovers out in face of the opening onslaught.

The hosts started to fight back with Gareth Morton and Chris Chester going close.

But it was Jim Gannon who opened Rovers' account on 25 minutes with Morton converting - and then three minutes later Mark O'Neill made the score 16-10 with an unconverted try.

After a minute of the second half Ben Cockayne went clear from the halfway line before sending in Mark Lennon for an unconverted debut try.

Robinson scampered home from 40 metres on 47 minutes with Wilshere adding the extras.

Lennon got over the line on the hour but lost control of the ball although Jon Goddard made no mistake on 61 minutes when he shot over in the corner.

Morton added the touchline conversion to close the gap to two points.

Stanley Gene shot over the Salford line on 70 minutes but referee Gareth Hewer ruled he had knocked on.

A minute later David Hodgson touched down while Wilshere's fourth success with the boot edged Salford into a 28-20 lead.

With two minutes left Andreas Bauer closed the gap to four points with an unconverted try in the corner.