Rowley: We let Salford off the hook

Toronto boss Paul Rowley says his team missed a golden opportunity to defeat 12-man Salford in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

The Wolfpack looked on course for an upset when new signing Ryan Brierley scored on his debut to put them 16-12 in front after 26 minutes of their fifth-round tie at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Justin Carney was then sent off for dissent, but the Red Devils came back to secure a 29-22 and seal their place in Tuesday’s sixth-round draw.

“The sending-off probably wasn’t a good thing for us – it obviously altered our mindset and we stopped playing in the second half,” said Rowley.

“I thought we were really good in the first half – we scored some good tries and had two disallowed but it was a game of two halves and probably the old head of (Michael) Dobson managed the game better in the second half.

“We are bold and brave in our play and to go away from that is disappointing. We will learn and be better for it.

“It’s another reminder of where we need to be. Only good can come out of it, but we’re devastated that we’re not in the hat for the next round because we feel we let Salford off the hook.”