MATCH REPORT: Salford 1 Fleetwood 4

Town controlled the first 45 as they bounced back from the 5-0 defeat to Premier League side Liverpool and out-passed and played National League North side City at Moor Lane.

But Steven Pressley’s League One side lacked a clinical touch in front of goal until Bobby Grant found Jimmy Ryan at the top of the box and his deflected strike hit the back of the net in the 29th minute.

Midfield maestro Ryan hurt his left foot and received treatment on the pitch after opening the scoring but he is still expected to fly out with his team mates to Holland for their pre-season tour tomorrow.

Striker Declan McManus made his first appearance for the club since November and linked-up well with strike partner David Ball in a 4-4-2 formation.

But McManus lacked a ruthless edge in front of goal and he will not be joining Ryan and the rest of the squad in Holland.

Ryan was one of 10 players Fleetwood boss Steven Pressley switched at the break with only Marcus Nilsson returning for the second half.

Nilsson, is also not expected to go to Holland but put in a good shift as he switched over from left-back to right-back in the second 45.

Substitute Haughton and Hunter replaced Ball and McManus with Haughton playing just off Hunter in a front two.

And the duo made an impact early on as Haughton capitalised on a defensive mix-up to make it two in the 54th minute.

Town were cruising but lacked the same amount of control they enjoyed in the first 45.

As the half rumbled on Salford pushed up, applied some pressure and pulled a goal back in the 69th minute as Nottingham’s right-footed shot from outside the box took a wicked deflection off Ricardo Kip and flew past Chris Neal.

But within seconds Town’s two goal advantage was restored as Hunter’s stunning strike made it 3-1.

The lively Hunter teamed up with Haughton once again as the pacy strikers cut through Salford’s defence like a hot knife through butter as Hunter steamed down the left and put the ball on a plate for Haughton to tap in from six yards out in the 77th minute.

Hunter could have made it five in the dying seconds of the game as Salford keeper Jay Lynch parried Thomas Grant’s shot into the striker’s path but it was cleared by Salford just before the full-time whistle.

Fleetwood first half: Cairns, Wright, Eastham, Pond, Nilsson, B Grant, Ryan, Dunbar, Deacon, McManus, Ball.

Fleetwood second half: Neal, Nilsson, Davis, Bolger, Sowerby, T. Grant, Osbourne, Nirennold, Kip, Haughton, Hunter.

Salford: Lynch, Nottingham, O’Halloran, Barnes, Grand, Howson, Hulme, Burton, Poole, Warburton, Allen.