Premier League: Salford beat Wakefield winless in extra time after Mark Snead missed the goal

Salford Red Devils claimed their third win of the Premier League season, edging out a tense encounter with bottom-placed Wakefield Trinity 14-13. Mark Snead scores a game-winning drop goal in the fourth minute of golden-point overtime

Mark Snead scored in the fourth minute of golden point extra time as Salford condemned Wakefield to their fifth Premier League loss of the season.

The Red Devils half-back kept his cool after a frantic finish at AJ Bell Court as strikes from Sneyd and Wakefield’s Mason Lino sent the game into extra time.

But it was Paul Rowley’s men who eventually emerged victorious 14-13, leaving Wakefield still entrenched at the bottom of the Premiership table as the only side without a win after five rounds.

Salford entered the game feeling confident after a 60-14 defeat of Hull FC last weekend, while Wakefield failed to score a point in each of their last three games.

Danny Addy was named on the bench for his first appearance in eight months for the hosts after being sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, but Tim Lafayé was sidelined after failing a late fitness test, meaning a rare start for Matty Costello.

Wakefield welcomed back Harry Bowes at the age of 17, and Sam Hewitt – recently signed on loan from Huddersfield – was named on the bench.

Mark Snead was attacked by his Salford Red Devils team mates after kicking the winning goal against Wakefield Trinity

Despite Trinity’s winless start to the season, they led for most of the first half, although Salford enjoyed the majority of possession.

Salford took the lead in the fourth minute when Brodie Croft and Ryan Brierley combined on the left edge to send Slan Costello into the running for an effort which Snead converted. But the scores were level in the 12th minute when Wakefield finally ended his long wait for a try.

The hosts had lost the game after a risky pass by Rhys Williams into his own try line and the visitors attacked the left edge with Leno and Liam Kaye connecting before Jorge Tofua crossed Cory Hall to try to convert Leno.

Then Wakefield took the lead in the 24th minute when Williams headed Leno’s kick into the corner and Rhys Lane was able to collect the ball and score. Leno missed the conversion but Wakefield led 10-6.

Salford got more play heading towards half-time, and with three minutes to go Snead opted not to take the relatively simple shot on goal, moments later it was vindicated as Chris Atkin spied a gap from dummy half and fired from five. meters to score. Sneyd converted to give Salford a 12-10 lead just before the break.

It was a poor start to the second half as both sides struggled to create clear scoring chances through unforced errors.

The hosts had a great chance on the hour mark when a move by the goalkeeper almost ended up scoring for Williams in the corner but he was unable to finish under pressure from some desperate defence.

The first points of the second period arrived with 11 minutes left in the game as Shane Wright hit a late kick on Leno after a high kick that Leno hit to make it 12-12.

With five minutes remaining Salford took the lead again when Snead sent a goal wide only for Leno to respond from the restart with one of his own to make it 13-13.

Leno served up another long range goal with three minutes left and Snead did the same in the next set as a suddenly faltering second half came to life.

However, another try from Lino fizzled out at a one-pointer with a minute left and Sneyd was denied another try after the referee called for a hit, sending the game to golden point in overtime.

It was Salford who bumped his arm first, with Sneyd’s long-range effort sailing in to give his side their third win of the season.

What then?

See the next Premier League action live on Sky Sports Huddersfield Giants hosts St. Helens Thursday night coverage begins at 7.30pm on Sky Sports Arena, with kick off at 8pm.

Wakefield Trinity They’re next in action on Friday, hosting Hull KR from 8pm as they look to secure their first win of the season, in the meantime. Salford Red Devils Head to Wigan Warriors at the same time on Friday night.