Star date: 18th September 2016

DEVILS DISS SUPPORTERS AS BRONCOS BUCK UP

Salford Red Devils lost the last but one crucial qualifier, beaten 16-19 by London Broncos at the AJ Bell Stadium. While the crowd was well up on the previous week, supporters were annoyed that the team appeared to diss them at the end of the game.

"I have never seen the supporters not be acknowledged" said fan Carole "To be honest that hurts more than the scoreline".

Simon Williams checks the relegation fall-out here...

Salford, desperately needing a win against First Division London Broncos , were never at the races, losing 16-19 at the AJ Bell Stadium to ensure that they cannot finish in the top three of the qualifier group. The best they can hope for is a place in the fourth v fifth 'million pound' match if they win at Batley next weekend.

With reduced prices and those under 17 getting free entrance for the game, the attendance swelled to 2,521 after last week's disappointing turnout. But some of those fans were left fuming after the team appeared to diss them after the shock loss...

"I will always support Salford but we are allowed to feel disappointed, not just the way they played but their conduct coming off the pitch" said Carole Wallwork "We all give good money season after season and I have never seen the supporters not be acknowledged. To be honest that hurts more than the scoreline..."

London Broncos, whose only previous win in the Middle Eights had been against Batley, took the lead after just 16 minutes, with Barthau intercepting a Dobson pass to race sixty metres to score, although it was too far out for Soward to convert. It was a rude awakening for Salford who missed a glorious opportunity when Josh Griffin spilled a pass after a powerful burst by Josh Jones.

Craig Kopczak's introduction off the bench briefly pepped the Red Devils but he was forced to hobble off after another typical driving run almost brought a try. Weller Hauraki became the latest Salford player to toss away possession but a mistake by Rhys Williams gave the Red Devils the platform for George Griffin to bulldoze over five minutes before the break, with O'Brien tagging on the conversion.

Then Salford were caught stretched again and, despite a fine tackle by Hauraki, London regained the lead with Leatherbarrow taking Jamie Thackray's pass to plunge over, with Soward kicking the goal.

A Soward penalty should have stretched the lead early in the second half but he was off target with the straightforward attempt. Burgess spilled a Dobson pass to dash a chance for Salford to notch a second try, with a poor ball from O'Brien to Niall Evalds wasting another opportunity.

Soward's break and return pass from Israel Eliab saw the scrum-half touch down after 58 minutes and boot the conversion to increase the lead to 16-6.

Soward added to Salford's woes with a penalty for Mark Flanagan holding down. Barthau landed a drop goal to open up a 13-point cushion and bring a deserved victory even closer. Josh Griffin broke through a poor Eliab tackle five minutes from time for the Red Devils' second try, and then went over again - but the comeback was too late. If they would have played with the same passion they did it the last ten minutes they could have easily won the match.

After the game, Barrry Jones said "I will always be Salford" and Stephen Roche asked, "Why is it never easy watching Salford?"

For me, your team is YOUR team; once picked, it is yours for life. You take the rough with the smooth but you never change. You care about them with a passion; they are your one love. And as much as you say `I am never going again', the week after you're there. That is called being a FAN. And that is why I will always support Salford RLFC...

Salford now go to Batley next Sunday knowing they must win. Again.

*Before the game a cheque was presented to the Salford Red Devils Foundation for £500 by the Sounds of Salford Radio and the Dog and Partridge pub.