Salford coach Richard Marshall says his team should have defeated Castleford after going down to the Tigers in the Challenge Cup by a point in extra-time.

The Red Devils have been eliminated from the Cup after losing 19-18 in golden point in the quarter-finals.

Salford were leading for most of the game and pushed Castleford hard throughout the contest at Headingley.

Marshall’s men forced the match into golden point with a Lee Mossop right on full-time.

But former Red Devils star Gareth O’Brien landed the winning field goal in extra point to sink the side from greater Manchester.

Marshall admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“All in all, we were good value,” he said.

“We could have won the game and should have won the game. There were moments in the game where we showed lots of character and toughness.

🎯 The winning drop-goal from @GazOBrien22! @CTRLFC 🤝 @Betfred #ChallengeCup Semi-Finals pic.twitter.com/YJOXsufE2L

— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) May 8, 2021

“We defended seven sets in a row and went up the other end and scored. The Salford never-say-die attitude was there in bucketloads today.

“On the whole I was really happy with our performance. Our discipline was really good in the second half.

“Cas ask a lot of questions, I thought we controlled them really well.

“Paul McShane was the difference between the two teams last week and he was the difference again today. He’s a world class player.

“He was instrumental in us not getting a field goal. He’s a fantastic player.”

Salford had a try to Kevin Brown in the second half controversially ruled out. Television replays show the halfback grounded the ball and a try should have been awarded.

“I thought Kev scored a try, I thought it was a difficult one to take,” Marshall said.

“To get to golden point and to get beat at the end…it’s the emotions of coaching.

“There’s no lack of effort, just a lack of smarts and skill with the ball.”