Salford dropped points and places in their promotion hunt after losing 2-1 at home to Swindon Town on Saturday.
The Ammies, looking to respond after a midweek draw against Harrogate, did not seem at the races for much of the contest against the Robins.
Swindon, who were winless in four were led by January signing Charlie Austin, returning to his old club after 11 years and 111 Premier League appearances.
Both sides made two changes, with Elliot Watt returning to the midfield and Shane McLoughlin back for Salford.
Salford City got off to the perfect start as Ryan Watson finished off a superb passing play by neatly slotting a shot in the bottom right corner after four minutes.
Swindon pushed for an equaliser almost immediately and nearly got caught out by a Ibou Touray counter, his cross being blocked and out for a corner.
The Robins played a patient game and eventually got their goal in the 26th minute courtesy of a Jacob Wakeling spinning volley that looped over Alex Cairns.
Salford looked to pull back in front, winning numerous free kicks. The most dangerous saw Watt delivering a ball onto the head of Matt Smith, who rattled the post, his blushes saved by the offside flag.
Goalscorer Watson looked dangerous throughout the half and stole the ball from the Swindon defence and rolled it into Smith, who only had the keeper to beat. His effort rattled the crossbar and eventually cleared.
Swindon went up a gear after the half-time break, and the introduction of Ronan Darcy for the Wiltshire side added the threat they needed to take the lead.
Darcy, playing down the Swindon right, cut in and crossed the ball, which cruelly came off of Watt’s foot, wrong-footed Alex Cairns and into the net in the 55th minute.
Neil Wood made offensive changes, with Louie Barry, Callum Morton and Callum Hendry brought on to provide an additional danger up front.
Stephen Mallan was also introduced to the fray, his first game for Salford after seven months out due to injury.
However, City were wasteful and lacked the clinical edge for large swathes of the second half, and Swindon’s defence was resolute in stopping the new attacking threats Salford added.
The Peninsula stadium slowly emptied as the minutes ticked away, with the 715 travelling Swindon fans making lots of noise as the final whistle blew.
A defeat and a 2-0 win for Stockport County saw the Ammies drop a place and into seventh, the final play-off position.
Salford sit just one point in front of Bradford City, who have two games in hand, meaning they are in a precarious position going into a tough game away at Mansfield next Saturday.
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