Castleford staged a sensational recovery to grab an unlikely engage Super League success at The Jungle.
Fourth-placed Salford looked to be coasting to victory when they led 26-8 in the second half - but the lowly Tigers fought back magnificently to take the spoils 28-26.
Richard Fa'aoso sparked the Tigers' revival with a 63rd minute try, Danny Nutley and Gray Viane then went over before Willy Manu scored the winner six minutes from time.
Castleford were the first to threaten when loose forward Deon Bird was halted five yards short after a strong run.
They took a fourth minute lead when, after Salford were penalised for holding down, second rower Ben Roarty forced his way over from close range.
Johnny Wilshere rescued Salford by knocking the ball dead when Castleford's 38-year-old half-back Brad Davis put in a clever kick.
The Tigers were then stunned when Salford snatched an 11th-minute lead with a breakaway try when Luke Robinson's searing run was supported by Simon Finnigan, who went in for a touchdown that Wilshere converted.
Salford had a let off when Castleford's on-loan debutant Peter Lupton lost the ball close to the line attempting to pass to Bird.
Castleford's pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute when veteran Davis jinked through from close range for an unconverted try.
However, the lead did not last long because Salford soon replied with a 30-yard effort from Aaron Moule that Wilshere improved.
Skipper Nutley was tackled just short of the line as Castleford rallied strongly but they fell further behind four minutes before half-time when Wilshere went over at the corner.
The try was awarded despite a suspicion that he hit the corner flag before touching down.
Castleford's efforts to get back in the game in the second half were hampered by lack of composure as handling errors began to take their toll.
Salford went further ahead in the 54th minute when winger David Hodgson fielded Davis' kick in his own 22 and weaved his way through for a spectacular try that Wilshere goaled.
Castleford's Ryan McGoldrick was sin-binned for dissent two minutes later and Salford quickly capitalised when Bird fumbled Robinson's kick and Junior Langi scored.
The visitors looked to have the points in the bag at that stage but they were rocked as Castleford hauled themselves back.
Tries by Fa'aoso and Nutley and a Craig Huby conversion reduced Tigers' deficit to 26-16.
Viane then went over from close range and Huby kicked a touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to just two points - then came Manu's winner when he stormed over at the corner.
The Tigers weathered a late Salford onslaught to notch their first win in six matches and send Salford sliding to their third successive defeat.
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