I know that the swaggering Salfordians will consider it churlish - even childish - for the humble likes of us to complain, but they'll make few friends in the National League, this season, so they'd better get used to it sharpish.

But they didn't have it all their own way at Spotland as Hornets consistently made good inroads through the Reds defence. Indeed, having had the better of the opening period, a last tackle bomb from Ian Watson was lost in flight by Hunte, snaffled by Steve Doherty and slipped put for Marlon Billy to score. Watson added the extras and it was suddenly very very quiet in the Pearl Street end. Hornets fans laughed and pointed - well, you take your pleasures where you find them.

Some decidedly indifferent refereeing from Steve Ganson seemed the only way that Salford were able to get into Hornets' half, but - once there - they showed the speed of thought, hand and foot that comes with not having to worry about work on a Monday morning.

Hunte was first to cross out wide after 25 minutes, followed by Blakeley and Clinch - both of whom stepped through a static defence and strolled away to score.

Half time 16-6 and - to be fair - Hornets weren't too far off the pace, just lapses of concentration at key moments proving to be the difference.

Salford started the second half as they'd ended the first. A superb grubber through by Clinch, Highton in support and Hunte on the end of it. Hornets wilted.

Tries from Charles, Highton and KIrk stretched Salford's lead to 38-6 - but Hornets weren't finished and showed some real steel to take the game back to Salford. Back to back sets on the Salford line gave Hornets the platform for some neat passing up the narrow side for Billy to dive in past an absent Hunte.

Having regained the kick off, Hornets again worked the ball wide for James Bunyan to show good strength - out muscling and outpacing Cliff Beverley to score.

With Hornets supporters hoping that their side could hang on and keep Salford under 40, Clinch scored at the death. Never mind.

Positives from the game were evident, though. Wes Rogers celebrated his return to the squad with a barnstorming performance, never once taking a backwards step; Damian Ball worried the Salford defence every time he carried the ball; Steve Doherty showed a good range of skills to at least give us some variation at out-half; James Bunyan ran and tackled his heart out as always.

But there was a big minus too: Casey mayberry carried from the field after an hour with what looked like a very serious knee injury. Very worrying for everyone.

So that was that. Salford came and left with the requisite victory; their fans were unmagnanimous in victory; Hornets gave a committed performance and were warmly applauded from the field.

And, despite the scoreline, the Hornets players can hold their heads up at work this morning.