The Ammies were 5-3 victors as Callum Hendry and Matt Smith both scored braces against AFC Barrow on Saturday.
Salford made just one change from their midweek draw with Doncaster Rovers as Conor McAleny came in for in a straight swap with Callum Morton.
Meanwhile, Pete Wild’s side rung the changes, rotating five players in from their home defeat to Forest Green Rovers in the week. Warren, Feely, Spence, Ogbungbo and Acquah all coming in to the side.
Cole Stockton got the first shot off at goal for the visitors but it was scuffed and easily gathered by Cairns in goal. Salford soon replied as Conor McAleny dropped his shoulder just inside the opposition half and fired a shot at goal but the keeper got down smartly to his right to palm it away.
Alex Cairns was forced into a fine save as Niall Canavan stabbed a shot at goal from a Barrow corner at point-blank range on 16 minutes.
Less than ten minutes later though and Salford had an opener. Callum Hendry fired a powerful effort from distance past Farman in the Barrow goal after Luamba held up a cross from Garbutt and rolled the ball into the Scotsman’s path who rocketed the ball into the back of the net.
🥶 @Callum_Hendry 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Z1xrU64aNj
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) February 17, 2024
Salford could have had two with five minutes left of the half, McAleny rounding the goalkeeper and cutting the ball back to Garbutt who hit the bar from distance of an empty goal.
Just minutes later Barrow punished Garbutt’s miss, a quick counter seeing talisman Cole Stockton cut onto his right foot and curl one home from 20 yards out.
Salford ended the half level despite dominating. However, no more than two minutes after the restart, the visitors were ahead as Tyrell Warren headed in at the near post from a Robbie Gotts corner kick.
This did not deter Salford though, who continued to have the bit between their teeth. Just over ten minutes later and Salford had their leveller, Conor McAleny driving towards the opposition goal in the box and smashing emphatically past Farman in the Barrow goal.
57' – COME ON!!!
Watt feeds the ball to McAleny in the area, who beats his defender and fires beyond Farman!
[2-2] #SALBRW https://t.co/yRaF7ItB1B
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) February 17, 2024
The introduction of Kelly Nmai only increased the joy Salford were finding in wide areas. Nmai left two defenders for dead before cutting the ball back to Callum Hendry who duly smashed the ball home. Salford were back in front.
Karl Robinson’s side were not done there though, more good work from Nmai saw him win a freekick, which was whipped into the box and stabbed in at the near post by Matt Smith.
Salford had a two-goal lead with 15 minutes to go when a Luke Garbutt freekick was whipped in and Matt Smith was able to head home to double their lead. Barrow were down and out.
Salford rubbed salt into the wounds with five to go. Matt Smith scored yet again from close range as he nipped in at the near post to stab home from a corner.
Barrow got a third late on, with Cole Stockton getting his second but this proved to be no more than a consolation as the referee brought the game to an end soon after.
Karl Robinson is now eight games unbeaten at Salford, who were well worth the entrance fee today.
Their next game takes place next week at promotion challengers Mansfield Town on February 24th at 3pm.
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