Not pretty but showing great resolve im games so far.3 out of 3 over Easter and just one defeat overall and breathing space at the top of table, i would have snapped your hand off for that start of the year.

Sts away next week will be a big test, hopefully a few bodies will be back.

Can only see Warkins being back for the Saints match. They're still struggling too with injuries. Listening to their match vs Hudds right now, they've lost another one in Dawson and apparently both Flanagan and Turner are limping around.

Very good win in difficult conditions. The radio commentary seemed to indicate Leeds had most of the territory in the second half which makes the penalty count all the stranger in the second half

Luke Walsh is back on the bench though so it will be interesting to see if he starts next week, their pack still looks very strong on paper.

He caned Salford somewhat in the first half so probably tried to even it up in the 2nd.

Report from Manchester Evening News

Salford Red Devils lost 28-18 but were certainly not disgraced by leaders Leeds in what Rhinos’ coach Brian McDermott termed crazy conditions.

A truly diabolical performance from referee Matt Thomason also did not help Salford’s cause and triggered much frustration for fans, players and club officials.

Thomason had the proverbial stinker and matched the miserable wet and windy weather.

Some very poor calls went against Salford just when they were already under the hammer.

One saw him rule out a score for Scott Taylor in the first half.

Minutes later, the same kind of move produced the same kind of score for Leeds who then led 16-12 the break.

Salford definitely came out of this one with their heads held high.

Theo Fages came in for the suspended Chase and gave his all while Niall Evalds again made his mark with another impressive two try performance.

Jamie Peacock scored two first half tries for the Rhinos.

Salford opened their account when Fages made the opening for Lami Tasi.

Evalds then struck for his first try and continues to impress head coach Iestyn Harris with his awareness at full back.

Harris said: ‘‘Evalds is certainly growing his reputation.

''He is going to be excellent because he has the ability to be in the right place at the right time.

‘‘You cannot coach that.

‘‘Our effort was good. The way we defended for a large part of the game was good.

‘‘We just needed to test Leeds more with the ball but we had 13 unavailables.

‘‘We have to get back out on the training field and work on our fluidity.

‘‘Leeds were able to manage the game well and had experience in key positions. We stayed with them for 80 minutes and competed well.

‘‘Our last three games have been again really good sides and we could have scored a few more points had we been better with the ball.

‘‘We have still a long way to go before we are performing each week but the effort was there.

‘‘We saw some good performances.

‘‘Young Liam Hood played the full 80 minutes.

‘‘Teenager Ryan Lannon also enjoyed his debut and said it had been the fastest minutes of his life.’’

Leeds looked set to pull clear when Rob Burrow scored their third try after beating Greg Johnson but this Salford team is made of strong stuff.

They again responded to great backing from the fans with another fine try from that man Evalds.

He was first to react from a high kick and Salford only trailed by four.

Harris’ patched up side were still battling but Zak Hardaker settled the contest when he was given time and room to score.

Reds officials were clearly frustrated at the end.

Poor refereeing certainly gave Leeds a helping hand at key stages of the contest and this eventually took its toll on the Reds.

Fages went well and Evalds just gets better and better.

Salford now prepare for their Challenge Cup clash with Leigh on Saturday and could have a couple of injured players back.

This is a wind up, right?

A real, professional journalist was paid to write that?

That ref was a laughing stock

Wave for 6 more tackles then change your mind and stay on last tackle, brilliant

Don't believe a word of that report LEEDS were always in control despite the obstruction tactics Salford employed and the ref ignoring it, to say they beat WIGAN last week the Salford support was appaling , nearly half the crowd from Leeds , i really do fear for them if going into this game they were 3rd and still can't get support

Their fans were embarrasing. Got to sit in the middle of them in main stand and other than deathly silence for supporting their team they just booed the ref and shouted abuse at Joel Moon.

Honestly truly cringeworthy when the booed the ref off. He was bad but certainly not just for them and he did not cost them the game.

On a positive note thought Zak was immense for us. Ward also really strong.

I think Saints away will be a good one to get out of the way tbh. I think Leeds need to be a bit smart. It's Warrington at home after that and Warrington have Wigan away next. I wouldn't play anyone with a niggle at Saints and give Sutcliffe & Yates more game time. Throw Milton in too. Rest Cuthbertson. It's not a game Leeds need to win. Prioritise the Warrington game IMO.

long way to go yet Leeds need to win so we can rest players later , plus a win now would make a statement

They may have played spells but Sutcliffe was 6 against Wakey.

I think it was Bradford away last year according the radio.

Officially the last time we started a match with

6 - McGuire
7 - Burrow
13 - Sinfield

Was a 3 game spell in June 2011 shortly after McGuire came back from his knee injury. We got battered by Saints away, comfortably beat HKR and edged to a win over Crusaders.

Before that the previous occasion was the infamous the 2010 playoff game at Wigan when McGuire messed up his knee.