Hull KR gave their survival hopes a massive boost with this crucial win over fellow strugglers Salford in a fiercely-fought basement scrap.

Victory means Rovers are now three points above the Reds with only five games left in the regular season.

Salford edged in front 12-10 at half-time but Paul Cooke inspired Rovers in a second-half recovery.

Rovers, beaten 28-24 by Salford at Craven Park in April, recalled Cooke - surprisingly dropped for the home thumping by Warrington - but were without suspended Iain Morrison and Ben Cockayne.

Hull KR were also able to recall Michael Vella, Chris Chester and Mark O'Neill.

Salford handed Philip Leuluai, the new prop capture from Cronulla Sharks his debut off the bench and welcomed back David Hodgson and Paul Highton for the vital clash.

Rovers, with only one win in their last seven matches, started brightly but Salford went ahead after nine minutes after a smart break by Hodgson.

Luke Robinson's long pass to Richie Barnett put the former Hull and Warrington winger over in the corner for his first try for the Reds and John Wilshere booted the touchline conversion.

Andy Coley went close for Salford before being sin-binned by referee Ashley Klein for deliberate obstruction.

Rovers made the Reds pay immediately with James Webster sending O'Neill over. Cooke's conversion levelled the score at 6-6.

Coley was still in the sin-bin when Cooke scored a scorching solo try, his first for Rovers since his move from Hull, but missed the conversion.

Coley returned and Salford immediately regained the lead 12-10 with Gareth Haggerty powering through for Simon Finnigan to surge over with Wilshere tagging on the goal.

Mark Vella had a try disallowed by video ref Steve Ganson and then Mark Lennon was bundled into touch close to the line with Andreas Bauer spilling the ball to cost Rovers another chance.

The pressure had to tell and Webster again created O'Neill's second try with Cooke's conversion making it 16-12.

Rovers should have gone further ahead but Webster made his first mistake of the night, dropping Ben Fisher's pass from Stanley Gene's midfield surge.

Stuart Littler's high tackle allowed Cooke to stretch the lead to 18-12 before the influential stand off's long pass sent Lennon over in the corner.

Luke Dyer added to Salford's woes to make it 28-12 before Aaron Moule gave Salford some hope with a try from Robinson's kick.

Cooke's fifth goal made it 30-18 six minutes from time.

Danny Ward was sin-binned for Rovers before Salford managed a late consolation try from Hodgson.

But the odds are now stacked against Salford staying up after this dismal show.