Ben Woodburn and Luke Garbutt strikes give Salford first home victory of season

Ben Woodburn and Luke Garbutt struck in quick succession as Salford battled to a hard-fought 2-1 League Two victory against Accrington.

Following a low-key start, the game burst into life when Woodburn rifled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give Salford a 23rd-minute lead.

The Ammies doubled their advantage soon after, as dead-ball specialist Garbutt curled a sublime free-kick into the top corner.

Shaken into action, Accrington came close to halving the deficit minutes later when Isaac Sinclair’s fierce drive hit the post.

Woodburn, played clean through on goal, failed to pull the trigger before Jay Bird blazed a shot wide as Salford chased a third goal early in the second half.

On the hour, Garbutt found the back of the net directly from a corner, but his celebrations were short-lived as referee Matt Corlett blew for a foul on goalkeeper Michael Kelly.

Substitute Tyler Walton scored from the spot to set up a grandstand finish, but Salford held on to record their first home win of the season.