25 ....... CATALANS makes it five in a row One win will silence our critics: John

the field, with Russell this time on target to level up at 24-24 with 16 minutes remaining.

Michael McIlorum’s dropgoal attempt to nudge his side back ahead three minutes later hit a post and bounced back into the arms of a relieved Giant, but there was no denying Gigot his one-pointer in the 74th minute.

But the Huddersfield response couldn’t have been better as the hosts took play downfield and forced Sam Moa to concede a penalty for interference and Russell calmly landed the goal with three minutes to play.

Catalans looked to have snatched it with 90 seconds left on the clock, but Benjamin Julien’s effort was ruled offside in what proved the most dramatic of finishes.

SALFORD assistant coach Willie Poching hopes the 26-12 victory over Widnes proves to be a turning point in the Red Devils’ season.

Ian Watson’s team went into the Super League clash at the AJ Bell Stadium on the back of six straight defeats in all competitions and in danger of slipping out of top-eight contention.

But they dug deep against their fellow strugglers to claim a crucial win.

“I was pleased the guys got some reward because at times this year we’ve had good performances but results,” said Poching.

“We all hoped a win would spark us and, hopefully, this will prove to be the case.

“It was a courageous performance and not everything went smoothly for us.

“Some players had to play in unfamiliar positions but sometimes you have to overcome those adversities.”

Greg Burke scored the decisive try on his Salford debut as he made his parent club rue the decision to allow him to play.

“I thought Greg Burke was really energetic and he was won a lot of respect from his peers,” added Poching. “He pushed through the pain.” WIGAN second rower John Bateman reckons a win over Hull today will quickly silence the doom-mongers.

The Warriors are reeling from their first back-to-back defeats in the Betfred Super League this season as well as an ignominious exit from the Challenge Cup and the enforced departure of Joel Tomkins.

But Shaun Wane’s men are still second in the table and Bateman believes victory over fifth-placed Hull at the KCOM Stadium will get their Grand Final bid back on track.

“I think it’s the pressure on Wigan,” he said. “As soon as Wigan start losing games, everyone wants to jump on your back. It’s part and parcel of the game.

“These last few weeks have been tough. We’ve probably gone from one of the best weeks of the season against Warrington at the Magic Weekend to some of the worst.

“We got knocked out of the Challenge Cup, which was massive for us, and going to Hull KR and losing there was a disappointment and we lost at Wakefield last week.

“But we’ve had a couple of days off and that was good for the lads to refresh themselves, just to have a bit of time away from rugby.

“We all came back excited for the game at the weekend so we’ll be ready to go. We know what we’re capable of and we’re still sat in second, two points clear of Warrington.

“A win this week and it will be all forgotten. We just need to get that win.” HULL prop Scott Taylor has been called into England’s 19-man squad for next Saturday’s Test match against New Zealand in Denver.

Taylor, who played in the 2017 World Cup, was excluded from Wayne Bennett’s initial squad but has been drafted in to replace South Sydney prop George Burgess who has withdrawn through injury.

Taylor, who will fly out with Hull teammate Jake Connor after today’s Super League game against Hull, is hoping to win his fifth cap against the Kiwis in Colorado.