Friday 22nd March 2013, 20:00 - Round:8

Salford City Reds' miserable run at St Helens continued despite them giving Nathan Brown's side a fright in a match played in dreadful conditions.

The Reds have not won on Merseyside since 1980 and have now lost 29 successive matches at Saints after tries from Ade Gardner and Francis Meli.

Salford had not troubled the scorers until Liam Foran crossed with 12 minutes left and, although Marc Sneyd grabbed a try late on, there was not enough time to complete a comeback that had nonetheless ensured some Saints nerves.

St Helens closed two of the four stands at Langtree Park with the match played in a snowstorm and ground staff clearing the lines before the kick-off and at half-time.

Brian Noble, one of the front-runners for the vacant Salford job, was a guest of the basement club - who trailed 6-0 to Gardner's converted try at the break.

Reds interim coach Alan Hunte, the former St Helens centre, was without Australian forward Shannon McPherson, Lee Jewitt and Vic Mauro up front.

Saints welcomed back skipper Paul Wellens but were missing James Roby, Lance Hohaia, Anthony Laffranchi and Jonny Lomax.

Teenagers Lewis Charnock and Dom Speakman made debuts with Josh Perry and Tony Puletua also returning. Salford's last away win was at Hull KR in July but they had Danny Williams back from a quad injury.

Martin Gleeson almost put Salford ahead but Saints went in front with a 24th-minute Gardner try after Sol Soliola, Wellens and Jordan Turner combined.

Chris Nero had a Reds effort ruled out before Charnock scored his first points for the club with a penalty just before the break.

Meli notched Saints' second try from a Josh Jones break with Salford not helped by injuries to Theo Fages, Gleeson and Williams.

Charnock struck his third goal with another penalty to extend the lead to 14-0 after 65 minutes.

Sneyd's kick was caught by Jordan James for Foran to make it 14-6 with 12 minutes left and Sneyd then glided over two minutes from the end to leave Saints hanging on.