Salford are now six games unbeaten so far this season after surviving a late scare to beat Gainsborough Trinity 3-2.
The result puts Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men joint top with Harrogate and AFC Fylde who also won.
It was the visitors who struck first early doors from a well taken corner that reached striker Gary Rotherham in the box who couldn’t miss a free header.
The Ammies thought they had equalised against the run of play when Jordan Hulme broke through The Trinity back line, however was judged to have fouled Adam Quinn in the process of muscling the defender off the ball.
Despite the chance though, shots came few and far between for the hosts who continued to struggle against a dogged Gainsborough defence.
The other major talking point came just after the half hour make when Salford were adamant they should have had a penalty.
Michael Nottingham’s shirt was being pulled and in line with the new guidance given by referees should have been a spot-kick, but David Underwood waved away the protests much to the anger of Moor Lane’s faithful.
Salford’s second penalty appeal in quick succession was deemed a free kick despite both players being inside the box.
However, the set piece did result in Salford netting the equaliser after a curled effort from Sam Walker clattered the post, captain Simon Grand was there to score the easy rebound.
Simon Grand – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
Simon Grand scores Salford’s first – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
A minute later Salford fired their other barrel, courtesy of top scorer Mike Phenix who made a superb solo run to meet Michael Nottingham’s pass before slotting the ball home in the far corner to give The Ammies the lead going into halftime.
Phenix scores for Salford City – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
Nicky Butt watches as Phenix scores for Salford City – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
The Ammies almost scored a third when Walker picked the ball up in the box and launched a piledriver of a shot that went well over the bar.
For the second time this season though handbags were out in a Salford game, after a challenge by James Poole saw Ashley Worsfold go down like he was shot.
The Trinity boys crowded the ref in some false sense of solidarity and looked to rile the Salford players.
After a minute of confrontation the situation was diffused when Poole went in the book, however he could feel hard done by due to the Gainsborough players’ intimidation that went unpunished.
Neither team started the second half in a positive fashion, and it took 10 minutes before Poole got the first shot of the period that was well blocked.
Phenix got a second in quick succession but after finding all the space in the world blasted his shot wide.
Nathan Jarman employed a classic example of footballing hypocrisy to get himself booked, then sent off.
First the captain put in a challenge in similar fashion to the one committed by Poole, before protesting heavily to the referee about being booked, then moments later launching an elbow on Billy Priestley that cut the defenders head wide open.
Jarman continued to protest but was rightly sent off for the awful challenge that left Priestley playing with a Terry Butcher-esque bandage.
Billy Priestley the hero at Moor Lane – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
Credit to the holding midfielder though he headed a ball almost straight away which nearly extend Salford City’s lead to two.
It didn’t stop him scoring with a cut-open head though, as once again from the corner spot the ball found his head again this time he didn’t miss.
Gainsborough did make the game reach a nervy climax after a Adam Quinn header pulled one back for Trinity, but The Ammies saw out the game in solid fashion.
Salford are back on the road again when they will cross the Mancunian Way to face Curzon Ashton on Bank Holiday Monday.
Salford City (4-3-3): Lynch, Nottingham, O Halloran, Burton, Grand ©, Priestly, King, Walker, Phenix (Warburton ‘73), Poole (Allen ‘57), Hulme (Johnston ‘86)
Subs not used: Worley, Clark,
Booked: Poole ‘45
Gainsborough Trinity(4-3-3): Hedge, Picton, Lacey, Thornhill, Quinn, Evens, Barley-King, Wiles (Reid ‘82), Worsfold (Hazel ‘74), Jarman ©, Rothery (Scott ‘74)
Subs not used:Beatson, Eastwood
Booked: Jarman ‘62
Sent off:Jarman ‘67 (Violent Conduct)
Referee: David Underwood (Lancashire)
Main image: Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
