WANDERERS (3-4-1-2).

NATHAN BAXTER…6.

Never seriously called into duty with the exception of one brief flutter in the second half after the introduction of Matt Smith. Comfortable night.

WILL FORRESTER…8.

Got his defending done with minimal fuss and generally made good use of the ball. Very unlucky not to have bagged his first goal for the club too.

RICARDO SANTOS…8.

Needed to keep his concentration in the second half, making some good blocks, and provided a rare goal to top off his night.

JACK IREDALE…7.5.

Had defending to do, with Salford’s right side proving their busiest, but his use of the ball was what really caught the eye.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…7.

Always looking to make that run in behind the defence and while not everything panned out for him, Dacres-Cogley never stopped going.

AARON MORLEY…8.

Revelled in the time and space he was offered by Salford and took his goal really well. A performance which should boost confidence for the games ahead.

PARIS MAGHOMA…8.5.

Had he found his shooting boots, this could have been a huge night for the Brentford loanee. His movement was on a different level and Salford couldn’t live with him.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…7.

Had more defending to do than Dacres-Cogley on the other side of the defence but Williams has found a reassuring measure of consistency so far this season.

CARLOS MENDES GOMES…7.

Started things off with a thunderbolt and never let Salford settle when he got on the ball. Unfortunate to pick up an injury.

DAN NLUNDULU…7.

Looks so close to making that breakthrough and seems to be putting in everything he can. Frustrated by the keeper, cynical fouls, and more – it will surely happen soon.

JON DADI BODVARSSON…7.

Only had one half-chance to get the goal that would have capped off his comeback. Worked hard to close down spaces and ensure the visitors could not play their way.

Subs: Thomason 6, 60 (for Mendes Gomes) – Didn’t quite get to the speed of the game.

Jerome 6, 69 (for Bodvarsson) – Needed to be ruthless when he got his chances.

Adeboyejo 6, 69 (for Nlundulu) – One big opportunity which went astray.

Jones 75 (for Dacres-Cogley), Matheson 75 (for Williams).

Not used: Hutchinson, Khumbeni.

Tactics: 7/10 – Wanderers played their way and while Evatt’s team selection was a little stymied by the international absentees, it was encouraging to see an unfamiliar line-up pick up the tempo early on and establish a lead. Substitutions remain a slight concern, slowing things down a tad.

Salford City (4-3-3): Wright; Ingram, Vassell, Berkoe, Collins; Lund, Ashley, Watson; McLennan, Dackers, Bolton.

Subs: Hendry 61 (for Watson), McAleny 61 (for Ashley), Humbles 61 (for Bolton), Olopade 79 (for Collins) Smith 79 (for Dackers).

Not used: Cairns, Tilt.

Referee: Aaron Jackson 7/10 – Kept things ticking along at an entertaining place but it is still odd to see players kicking the ball away at free kicks and not being punished just a month into the new season, after the way it all started.

Attendance: 2,983 (377).