Four sparkling tries from the backs did the trick but James Womersley and Matt Hoyle missed all six shots at goal between them to enable the home side to stay in the hunt up to the final whistle.

Brods coach Nick O'Connor was delighted with a fifth straight league win this season for the Yorkshire Two champions but in a reference to the goalkicking problems said: "We do make life difficult for ourselves."

The visitors took the lead after six minutes.

Home stand off Jonny Robinson's long drop out from the 22 metre line was returned with interest, some excellent handling enabling fullback Adam Standeven to squeeze in at the corner.

Brods scrum half Richard Holbrough had a superb game, troubling the home back row with his speed off the mark from the base of the scrum and putting in several telling tactical kicks.

When Salem failed to cope with his high kick and conceded a straightish penalty just outside the 22, Womersley should have extended the lead but pushed his kick wide.

The home side then had their best spell of the match with Kris Falwasser a real bruiser at No 8 and ex-Halifax second teamer Ashley Walker quick off the mark in the centre.

Holbrough and young hooker Ben Morrill both got back to make crucial tackles as Salem broke through and Robinson hit a post with a penalty.

As errors crept into the visitors' play, Salem deservedly took the lead when right winger Chris Savva scooted in for the first of his two tries on 25 minutes. Robinson added a superb conversion and then a penalty for a 10-5 lead.

However, Brods turned the tide with two tries in quick succession at the end of the half to take a 15-10 lead.

Holbrough somehow stepped his way past three tacklers on the blind side of a scrum. The number nine put in a diagonal kick and the ball bounced perfectly for winger Hoyle, who sped in.

Things got even better for the visitors five minutes after the break when centre Andy Clay powered through from the Salem 22 and touched down.

Hoyle was entrusted with goalkicking duties but pulled his kick to the left and missed a penalty from a similarly favourable position with seven minutes left.

By then Salem had reduced the deficit to three points thanks to an excellent 55th minute try from Savva and Robinson's towering conversion.

Brods ran down the clock in the closing stages, aided by the game's only scrum strike against the head and some determined driving and recycling by a pack in which Scott Parkin, Matt Willis and Ollie Akroyd shone