Reigning engage Super League champions Leeds survived a late fightback at The Willows to lift the League Leader's Shield.

The Rhinos had put one hand on it with last week's victory over St Helens, and on Friday night ensured they would top the table for the first time in five years.

Luke Adamson and John Wilshere both scored converted tries to give the hosts a shock lead, but Kallum Watkins and Jay Pitts helped the Rhinos come roaring back.

Luke Burgess, Brent Webb and Carl Ablett all crossed for the visitors in the second half and Leeds came out on top, despite a late rally which saw Stuart Littler and Stefan Ratchford cross.

Leeds had an early score ruled out for a forward pass, denying Scott Donald who crossed in the corner.

The home side took the lead in the 15th minute when they were rewarded for their sheer persistence.

Adamson did well to finish a well-crafted score after Salford cleverly drew defenders into the middle of the pitch before working the ball wide.

Craig Stapleton then managed to find Adamson who withstood a couple of Leeds challenges on his way to the line and Wilshere converted.

The Rhinos, clearly rocked on their heels, conceded a second try when Wilshere finished well in the corner.

The initial break was made by scrum-half Ratchford in open play and while the Rhinos defence struggled to get back, the ball was thrown left and the Reds winger marked his final appearance for the club with a well-taken effort.

Wilshere then added the extras before the Rhinos came up with an answer 10 minutes before the interval.

A brilliant break from Ryan Hall, which showed just why he is the Super League's top scorer, resulted in Watkins racing between the posts from halfway.

Centre Lee Smith left the scores 12-6 in Salford's favour with the conversion, while Wilshere sent a penalty wide for the hosts.

But Pitts crossed the whitewash for a debut try following a good spell of possession on the stroke of half-time, with Smith levelling.

Leeds looked lively after the break and Salford's defence did well to withstand the early barrage of pressure.

The Rhinos could sense the Reds were struggling and in the 49th minute replacement Luke Burgess dropped over the line to the right of the posts after yet another lengthy spell with the ball in hand - Smith made it three from three with the boot.

Salford were doing all the defending and the Rhinos scored a fourth try in the 56th minute when full-back Webb, who found himself in acres of space, plucked a Rob Burrow kick from the night sky and, with his legs already pumping crossed unopposed. The conversion under the posts was a formality for Smith.

The visitors' relentless pressure told as Ablett managed to add a fifth try in front of the huge contingent of Leeds fans.

Reds centre Littler scored a great opportunist effort in the 73rd minute as he exploited a gaping hole in the Leeds defence.

And just two minutes later Robbie Paul sent Ratchford through and he made it a six-point ball game with a brilliant solo effort which saw him sprint from well inside his own half past several static defenders.