Salford City Reds 35 Warrington Wolves 34.

WOLVES fell to Salford City Reds for the third time this season in a pulsating top-six clash at The Willows on Friday.

A drop goal from Salford's experienced half back Andrew Dunemann in the 73rd minute proved to be decisive.

Paul Cullen's side were 22-12 ahead five minutes into the second half but Salford fired back with 22 unanswered points in a blistering 19-minute spell.

In-form Salford scrum half Luke Robinson made one long-range try for ex-Widnes centre Aaron Moule and then added one himself during the Reds' crucial purple patch.

It was then Wolves' turn to hit back, with Michael Sullivan crossing between the sticks to reduce the arrears to six points with 11 minutes remaining.

Dunemann's drop goal then left Wolves with too much to do, although they kept at it and winger Brent Grose's second touch down of the night in the 79th minute and stand off Lee Briers' fifth conversion from seven shots left them so close but so far away.

Tries from Briers, substitute prop Paul Wood and Grose had helped to put Wolves 14-6 ahead in the first half, although Salford substitute prop Gareth Haggerty pulled six points back before half time with a converted try.

Scrum half Chris Bridge's try in the opening set of six tackles in the second half stretched Wolves' lead to eight points before Salford took control.