Paul Rowley said his side “lacked some punch” after loss against Huddersfield

Paul Rowley said his side “lacked some punch” as Huddersfield ended a four-match Betfred Super League losing run with a 16-8 win over Salford.

Sam Halsall’s spectacular try got the Giants back in the game after Joe Mellor had crossed to give the Red Devils the half-time lead against the run of play at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Jake Connor kicked six points and Adam Milner went over in the last minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Dominant Huddersfield finally went ahead after 34 minutes when Ollie Partington was penalised for an infringement at the ruck and Connor slotted over the penalty.

The lead did not last long, with Mellor bundling through under the posts and Marc Sneyd kicking the extras to give Salford a 6-2 half-time lead.

Halsall scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try after 51 minutes to level the scores.

Sneyd’s brilliant 40-20 kick had seen Salford enjoy a spell of dominance close to the Giants’ line, but the centre intercepted a loose pass and just about held off the pursuing defenders.

Salford went 8-6 up midway through the second half after Leroy Cudjoe conceded a penalty within 20 metres of the Huddersfield line and Sneyd converted.

Connor levelled from similar range with 12 minutes remaining, with Brad Singleton sin-binned for the high tackle that led to the penalty.

A lengthy video referee check confirmed that Sneyd and Chris Hankinson had denied Aidan McGowan in the corner as Huddersfield looked to make their numerical advantage tell.

More indiscipline saw Salford concede a penalty five minutes from time and Connor duly put his side ahead from 21 metres before Milner put the result beyond doubt.

Salford head coach Paul Rowley said his side were struggling with injuries at present.

“Certainly we lacked some punch and we sat on our heels a lot defensively,” he said. “We certainly weren’t great today.

“We’re a little bit busted at the minute physically – we’re just not as energetic and enthusiastic as we need to be.

“Huddersfield in contrast had a lot of enthusiasm and deserved the win.”