Salford moved a step nearer sealing their Super League survival
Salford moved a step nearer sealing their First Utility Super League survival with an uninspiring win in a 15-try contest.
The Championship part timers gave the Red Devils a fright by sweeping into a 24-12 lead midway through the first half.
Salford recovered to lead 34-24 at the break but could never relax and needed a Michael Dobson drop goal to edge ahead 41-34 six minutes from time before sealing victory with two late tries from Iain Thornley and George Griffin.
Salford players gave Adrian Morley a guard of honour before the kick-off to mark his last home match before retiring - unless the Red Devils are involved in the "million pound" game between clubs finishing fourth and fifth in the Super League qualifiers.
Salford welcomed back Weller Hauraki and Lami Tasi but were without Rangi Chase, Junior Sau, Cory Paterson and the suspended Adam Walne.
Sheffield, who had conceded 166 points in their four previous qualifiers, fell behind after only four minutes when Hauraki plunged over from Logan Tomkins' short pass, with Dobson converting.
But the Eagles hit back when Menzie Yere's smart pass sent Quentin Laulu-Togagae clear and his neat inside kick was collected by Cory Aston, who scampered over. Pat Walker converted.
Sheffield added a second try straight from the restart with Scott Turner's surging run through weak defence sending Yere racing through to make it 12-6, then the visitors lost Hauraki after only 12 minutes with an ankle injury to add to their early problems.
Salford's plight became worse midway through the first half when Laulu-Togagae took Dominic Brambani's pass to blast through poor tackles by Carl Forster and Reni Maitua and stretch the advantage to 18-6.
Skipper Harrison Hansen crossed to cut the gap to 18-12 before sub Morley was introduced off the bench. Tommy Lee's handling error proved costly for Salford with Rob Worrincy outjumping Greg Johnson for the Eagles' fourth try, with the Championship part timers full value for their lead.
The try-fest continued with Salford centre Josh Griffin racing clear from a scrum move to reduce the deficit to 24-18. He crossed for his second touchdown in three minutes but Dobson was off target with the difficult conversion attempt.
Yere made a try-saving tackle on Jones-Bishop but, after Morley was held short, Liam Hood darted over from dummy-half for his first try for the Red Devils to put his side back in front. St Helens-bound Tasi bulldozed his way over to make it 34-24 at the break - but a handling error by Morley led to a Duane Straugheir try, giving the Eagles fresh hope early in the second half.
It was a mistake-littered display by the Red Devils, with a mix-up between Evalds and Jones-Bishop almost gifting Sheffield another try.
The Eagles piled on the pressure before Thornley's midfield burst found Evalds in support to finish off a sparkling move and make it 40-28 on the hour. Sheffield refused to concede defeat and more mesmerising skill from Laulu-Togagae created a touchdown for Scott Turner, with Walker's touchline conversion reducing the gap to six points.
Dobson dropped in with his one-pointer before Thornley and Griffin added late tries.
