Salford misplaced Tim Lafai to the sin-bin in simply the third minute for a excessive deal with on Miller and Leeds shortly took benefit.
Inside 45 seconds, Frawley’s dummy gave him area to race in, and moments later Paul Momirovski’s highly effective break created a two-on-one on Salford’s left edge, giving Edgell a transparent run to the road.
As Lafai returned, it was Salford’s flip for a one-man benefit as Martin, having booted Leeds right into a 12-0 lead, was despatched to the bin for a harmful deal with.
The hosts duly cashed in as Watkins burst via from shut vary towards his former facet, however Croft raced to the suitable nook from 30 metres to place the 12-man Rhinos two tries clear.
Salford got here once more earlier than the break and minimize the hole as soon as extra when Watkins burst onto a scoring cross at tempo to energy over.
Video referee Jack Smith chalked off Nene Macdonald’s rating to disclaim Salford a half-time lead, however the hosts upped the depth after the break and Leeds struggled to stay with the tempo.
They lastly overcame decided Rhinos defence when Jayden Nikorima broke via two challenges and teed up Mellor to complete, with Sneyd’s 56th-minute conversion placing Salford forward for the primary time.
The half-back booted over a penalty earlier than James Bentley turned the third man to be despatched to the bin, pinged for a excessive deal with on Joe Shorrocks.
Sneyd’s long-range penalty additional turned the screw, however the half-back and Shorrocks each missed drop-goals to take Salford two scores clear.
The 12-man Rhinos had regarded drained, however by some means responded late on, with Croft going shut after an exciting break, however Salford held out for an enormous win.