SAINTS moved to the top of the Super League summit with a hard-fought 32-12 victory that may have been achieved at some cost.

They lost James Roby early on with what looked like an hand or finger injury, and in the closing stages saw Tommy Makinson helped off with a damaged ankle.

They led 24-0 lead at the break, but Salford rallied with a quick brace at the start of the second half when they had all the ball for the first 15 minutes.

But a try from full back Shannon McDonnell killed off the Red Devils resistance and Saints comfortably closed out the game.

Saints opened their account on 12 minutes with a real belter, with James Roby piercing the Red Devils defensive line before finding Makinson on his inside.

The Saints wing did the rest, dashing home through the last 40 metres for his first of the night.

Saints then lost Roby, who was led off with the club doctor carefully holding his hand, but second rower Mark Flanagan moved into dummy half and the homesters began to take control.

Adam Swift scored a cracking try, after McDonnell fielded a Salford kick on his own line before going on a swerving, turning run before finding the speedy wing outside him for the last 30 metres.

It was all Saints by this stage, and they were clinical in taking their chances, and sparkling handling resulted in skipper Jon Wilkin sending Jordan Turner motoring to the line for the team's third

Although a 40/20 from clever little half Theo Fages put the Red Devils back on the attack, Saints kept them out with Mark Percival’s super tackle on Junior Sau forced his opposite number into touch.

Just before the half time hooter, Saints were back again with exquisite interpassing from Flanagan and Percival sending Makinson in for his second.

Makinson slotted home his fourth goal to make it a comfortable 24-0 at the break.

But the Red Devils rocked Saints with two quick tries after the restart.

First speedster Niall Evalds chased a clever dab through the middle to touch down.

And then Rangi Chase, back after missing seven matches through suspension, supported his forwards well on the inside to stretch over.

Salford, with Fages kicking well, monopolised the ball with a succession of repeat sets before an handling error and then a penalty pricked the bubble of pressure.

Saints were awarded another penalty in front of the posts, which Makinson goaled to restore a three-score lead going into the last quarter.

Their next score wrapped it up, with Saints packman Andre Savelio smashing his way through the Red Devils defence, with the man of the match McDonnell dashing up in support for a converted try.