Salford 29-22 Toronto: Wolfpack beaten for first time

Salford 29-22 Toronto: Match facts

Salford tries: Welham (13), Johnson (23,36), Dobson (47), O'Brien (68)
Conversions/Penalties: Dobson (13,23,36), O'Brien (68)
Drop-Goals: O'Brien (72) 

Toronto  Tries: Kay (15), Laulu-Togagae (17), Brierley (27), Moimoi (80)
Conversions/Penalties: Hall (15,17,80) 

Match report

Toronto Wolfpack experienced defeat for the first time but demonstrated they can mix it with the big boys after going down 29-22 to 12-man Salford.

The Canadian newcomers threatened to pull off an upset when latest signing Ryan Brierley scored on his debut to put Toronto 16-12 in front after 26 minutes of their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The Red Devils then had winger Justin Carney sent off for dissent but they rallied to see off Paul Rowley's men and secure their place in Tuesday's sixth-round draw.

Toronto, who have eased through their first five matches in League 1 and knocked out London Broncos in the previous round of the cup, were in sparkling form from the kick-off, with veteran forward Fuifui Moimoi tearing into the opposition and winger Liam Kay twice going close to opening the scoring.

And it was against the run of play when the Red Devils actually scored the first try. Centre Kris Welham won the aerial contest to reclaim the ball from Michael Dobson's high kick to score and Dobson kicked the first of his three goals to make it 6-0.

But Kay made it third time lucky when he crossed for an equalising try on 14 minutes and the visitors took the lead three minutes later following some enterprising play, when centre Greg Worthington broke from deep inside his own half to get full-back Quentin Laulu Togagae over for their second try.

Skipper Craig Hall's second conversion made it 12-6 but Salford drew level midway through the first half when right winger Greg Johnson seized on a handling error from Kay to go over for the first of his two tries.

Toronto lost former Warrington second rower James Laithwaite to injury but they hit the front for the second time when the pacey Brierley, one of nine former Leigh players in the Wolfpack line-up, sliced through the home defence for their third try.

Trailing 16-12, Salford were in trouble when Carney was shown a red card by referee Jack Smith for apparently using foul and abusive language, and the Canadian side might have extended their lead when stand-off Blake Wallace glided through a gap only to be held up over the line.

But Salford crucially scored again six minutes before half-time, Johnson taking Robert Lui's long pass for his second try, and they extended their lead four minutes into the second half when Welham worked the ball back from Lui's kick for Dobson to touch down.

Toronto were twice placed on a team warning and they began to lose their shape as well as their discipline as the Super League side tightened their grip on the game.

Prop Lama Tasi had a chance to clinch the victory when he lost control of the ball going for the line but full-back Gareth O'Brien polished off the Canadians when went over wide out on 66 minutes.

O'Brien kicked the touchline conversion and added a drop goal for good measure 10 minutes from the end but the Wolfpack had the final say when Moimoi charged over for his side's fourth try and Hall kicked his third goal.

Match reaction

Toronto coach Paul Rowley: "The sending-off probably wasn't a good thing for us. 

"It obviously altered our mind set and we stopped playing in the second half.

"I thought we were really good in the first half, we scored some good tries and had two disallowed but it was a game of two halves and probably the old head of Dobson managed the game better in the second half.

"We are bold and brave in our play and to go away from that is disappointing."

Rowley on getting better after the defeat: "We will learn and be better for it. 

"It's another reminder of where we need to be. Only good can come out of it but we're devastated that we're not in the hat for the next round because we feel we let Salford off the hook."

On James Laithwaite's injury: "He's not great to be honest, he's gone off to hospital. He had pins and needles in his arms and legs so there's obviously a neck problem."

Salford coach Ian Watson on the Carney sending off: "I'm waiting to see the referee's report and (I'll) speak to the guys involved before I can comment."

On fielding a strong team: "We knew it was going to be a massive game on the back of a very tough Easter period for us. They came here and had a real dig.

"In the first half they caused us a few problems but we fixed it up in the second half, defensively we were a lot better. Losing Justin didn't help, the boys had to dig a bit harder."

On Swinton's shock win over Huddersfield: "It's a great result for them. I hope we can have a Salford-Swinton derby in the next round."