Paul Cooke inspired Hull KR to engage Super League safety as they secured victory in the 202nd derby at a packed KC Stadium.

Lifelong Rovers fan Cooke, who spent nine-years with Hull prior to his controversial cross-city move in April, was the architect of a fine win which saw Justin Morgan's men retain their place in the top flight and seal Salford's relegation to National League One.

The fact that they secured their safety at the ground of their fiercest rivals will be of particular satisfaction to the Robins.

There has been no love lost between the two sides this season, Cooke's controversial transfer later followed by fighting between fans in the clash at Craven Park in July.

To add further spice to the occasion, Shaun Briscoe was named on the wing for Hull. The club announced this week that the England international will leave at the end of the season with Rovers his most likely destination.

With survival at stake the visitors could have been forgiven for starting nervously, but they were anything but, taking a deserved lead after 13 minutes.

Cooke spied a gap in the home defence and, after sprinting through, was on hand later in the move to play superb kick to the corner.

Andreas Bauer and Gareth Raynor both jumped for the ball and Bauer was able to tap the ball down for another ex-Hull player, Jason Netherton, swooped and stretched out over the line. Cooke added the conversion from the touchline.

Hull's attack, key in securing six wins in their last seven matches and virtually sealing a play-off spot, was strangely static and failed to produce any chances.

The one move they did conjure, involving Mathew Head, Motu Tony and Richard Horne, was halted by referee Steve Ganson who had spotted an earlier offence.

And, from the resulting passage of play, Rovers forged further ahead.

After Kirk Yeaman had spilled the ball, Scott Murrell was sharp enough to hand the loose ball off to the more able Luke Dyer, who made no mistake in racing clear of the cover defence to score.

Dyer's tries have been hugely influential in Rovers' campaign to beat the drop, and none more so than his second, a length of the field effort a minute before the interval.

Hutch Maiava, a source of huge disappointment at the KC Stadium this season, offered up a weak offload which went straight into the hands of Dyer.

Dyer set off in a 70-metre sprint for the line and, despite the attentions of Briscoe, was able to score. Cooke added his second goal to send Hull KR in 16-0 ahead at the break.

Hull began the second period in a more spirited fashion, but the commitment of Rovers to cling on was highlighted when Yeaman was dumped into touch by Dyer as he looked set to go in at the corner.

With Cooke directing Rovers around with distinction with his kicking game, Hull began to panic in defence and it was then, with their defence all at sea, that Mark Lennon grabbed the try to effectively secure survival.

Cooke curled a deft kick around Briscoe and Lennon nipped in unchallenged to ground. With the Hull fans stunned into silence, they momentarily forgot to boo Cooke as he slotted another touchline conversion.

Danny Washbrook's surge to the line to open Hull's account offered them momentary hope before Rhys Lovegrove made light work of Briscoe's challenge to score and captain James Webster produced a solo effort to kick-start the celebrations.

Never one to be left out, Stanley Gene - another to play for both clubs - then barged his way over before fittingly, Cooke had the final say, as his looping pass sent Lovegrove flying in for his brace in the final minute.