Castleford coach Daryl Powell has heaped praise on Paul McShane after the hooker helped steer the Tigers to a special Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Salford.

Castleford will face Warrington in the semi-finals after overcoming the Red Devils 19-18 in golden point in a thrilling contest at Headingley.

McShane set a crucial try that put the Tigers ahead in the second half, and then in extra-time charged down a field goal attempt from Kevin Brown and won the ball back, leading to Gareth O’Brien’s winning field goal.

“That play from Paul McShane was pure class,” Powell said.

“He loves his rugby league He’s a little general. That play to charge the ball down from Brown was a massive effort.

“I just want him to run the ball a little bit more. [But] he’s playing great. He’s a fantastic player.”

😄 𝙂𝙊𝙇𝘿𝙀𝙉 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏 𝙁𝙀𝙀𝙇𝙎

🏆 @Betfred #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/0w8VdFSYcF

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

Castleford had two players sin-binned late in the match but still managed to hold on and defend stoutly under pressure.

“There was a lot going on in that game,” Powell said.

“It was always going to be a tough, close game with the conditions that they were. Salford defended really well and we had to work really hard with the two sin-binnings.

“I thought we did really well to battle through some different periods.

“The amount of effort and commitment to go down to 12, and then down to 11… that was massive for us to keep them out.”

The Tigers will now face Warrington in the final four. At the end of this season Powell will leave Castleford to take over as head coach of the Wolves.

“I thought it would happen,” he said.

“It’s ironic isn’t it It will be an interesting game.

“It’s fantastic [to be in the semi-finals]. For quite a few of the boys it will be pretty special.

“It’s a good opportunity for us. It’s exciting for us as a club and as team.”