Despite a lacklustre opening 15 minutes and two sin-binnings later on, fourth-placed Bradford Salem kept themselves in the Yorkshire Div-ision One play-off picture with this fine victory over second-placed Old Crossley-ans.

Failure to deal with the kick-off put the hosts under immediate pressure, and fly half Thomas Best almost broke through.

Then only a superb last-ditch tackle by left winger Chris Luxton on centre Liam Martin-dale in the fourth minute prevented a try for the visitors.

But two well-struck penalties from Salem fly half Matt Booth must have been like daggers through Crocs' heart, and the Halifax side must still have been bewildered as to why they trailed 9-6 at half-time.

The second half was much better from the hosts and they survived a dubious injury-time try from prop Damien Seeto to deservedly claim the spoils.

Salem centre Paul Gleadhill had an explanation as to why his side started so slackly.

He said: "Our preparation was spot on through the week and our pre-match warm-up was spot on but in big games like this there are nerves as well.

"But when we got into it we stood together as a team and grinded out the win. They threw everything at us, and all credit to our lads that we won. Every player did their job."

Former Leeds Rhinos player Gleadhill, who played rugby league last summer for Brad-ford Dudley Hill, played for Salem's coach Craig Busby when they were at West Leeds six years ago.

Gleadhill said: "I played for Dudley Hill after breaking my leg when I was a professional, and went up there because a few of my mates were there.

"Craig asked me to come down to Salem and I am enjoying it. I have had a couple of offers about going back to rugby league but firstly I will see the season out with Salem."

Gleadhill, who prefers playing centre to wing at union because it brings greater involvement, was sin-binned by referee Colin Tovey in the 35th minute for a high tackle.

He disagreed with the referee's interpretation, however, saying afterwards: "I caught him on the shoulder and then my arm went over the top, but the referee saw it differently."

Old Crossleyans skipper Chris Seymour said of their opening: "We had loads of pressure and loads of territory but just could not convert it, but there is still plenty of the season to go and we are still there or thereabouts.

"Leaders Sheffield Tigers are probably in a class of their own, but even they cannot guarantee two points from every game.

"And as for the teams below them they cannot target a particular match and say 'We will get two points from that'.

"As for Salem, they were excellent in the forwards and at half-back, particularly at No 10 where they controlled the game."

Chris Luxton's fourth-minute tackle meant that Martindale's 'try' was ruled out for a double movement, and the hosts slowly weathered that early Cross-leyans storm, despite conceding two turnovers.

Booth landed his first penalty in the 20th minute from the ten-metre line, and added another two minutes later from between the ten-metre line and halfway after he had been late tackled by Cross-leyans' No 8 Phillip Hill. Crocs replied with a penalty by Thomas Best in the 28th minute, and he added another in the 37th minute to tie the scores up with Gleadhill already in the sin-bin.

However, a minute later Booth's restored Salem's three-point advantage with a third penalty, this time from in front of the posts.

Salem had the momentum early in the second half and three minutes into the stanza, skipper Simon Davies broke away and found flanker Steve Cowman in support but the attack later petered out.

Then good improvisation with the boot by full back Richard Langhorn enabled Chris Luxton to have a run down the left as the hosts cranked up the pressure, and it told in the 48th minute when flanker Jonny Luxton got their try as Salem's pack exerted a telling influence.

Booth converted for 16-6 and, after a period of stalemate, Salem threatened again with Gleadhill's run through the middle and, soon after right winger Steve McManus' diagonal run to the left corner that almost put in Langhorn.

After some dogged defence, Salem's supporters were on their feet again in the 69th minute as the alert McManus got on the end of a Booth kick that sat up nicely for him as two Crossleyans defenders back-pedalled.

However, the hosts finished on the back foot, Chris Luxton pulling off a great cover tackle in the 72nd minute.

A rash of penalties followed in favour of Crocs, and Salem second row Jason France was sin-binned for killing the ball.

In the fourth minute of injury-time Salem conceded their try, Best converting, but there was no time to kick off.