LEWIS Dodd scored two tries as Saints fought back to beat an experienced looking Salford Red Devils in the opening reserve team game at Ruskin.

The highly rated scrum half, who put in some shrewd kicks throughout, found the gap and had the legs to exploit it with the opening try, which he goaled himself.

That lead was doubled when Tom Nisbet forced his way over from dummy half close to the line.

Dodd's boot did the rest and Saints were 12-0 up.

Saints were without injured hooker Josh Eaves and centre Josh Simm, and also had Matty Costello missing - probably in anticipation of him playing at Warrington on Thursday.

The Red Devils hit back when Ryan Lannon broke through for a try.

And it was soon level pegging with Alex Smith crossing with Krisnan Inu tagging on the simple goal to level it at the break.

Welsh international Elliot Kear put the Red Devils ahead after the break and Saints had work to do.

But Joe Batchelor responded for Saints with a dummy and go to score by the sticks leaving Dodd with a formality.

It was Dodd at the double when he darted through for his second, his fourth goal making it 24-16.

Joe Digby had the last word for the Red Devils but Saints had done enough to sneak the win on a bitterly cold day at Ruskin Drive.

Saints: Tom Nisbet, Bradley Holroyd, Benjamin Davies, Nico Rizzelli, Jumah Sambou, Owain Abel, Lewis Dodd, Alex Eckley, Paul Crook, Callum Hazzard, Joe Batchelor (c), Michael Weldon, Sam Royle.

Subs: Paul Nash, Andrew Thornley, Samuel Brooks, Kye Siyani.

Salford: Jamie Abram, Dafydd Jones, Ed Chamberlain, Elliot Kear, Krisnan Inu, Alex Smith, Chris Atkin, Chris Worrall, Connor Jones, Connor MacCallum, Ryan Lannon, Jack Ormondroyd, Henry Davies.

Subs: Connor Davies-Aspey, Joe Digby, Tom Millington, Tyler Brown.