But with similar ease the Giants were back on terms on 31 minutes as a neat move allowed Lee Gilmour to cut a swathe through the home cover and score with Grix again levelling matters.

The Giants were beginning to look a little more organised as the interval approached and they took the lead for the first time four minutes from the break when another smart move close in allowed David Fa’alogo to burst over and Grix knocked over his third goal.

However, the second half brought an almost immediate setback for the Giants as McGillvary went down in a tackle under a fairly routine challenge but, after treatment, had to be led from the field.

However, on 46 minutes the Giants went a whisker away from putting some daylight between the two teams when Brown’s inviting kick just eluded the grasp of Grix as he challenged for the ball in the City Reds in-goal area.

The home side were quick to respond and they cut the Giants lead to two points as Williams powered through for his second try after Huddersfield had been left stretched on the left flank, but the goal was missed.

Salford turned up the heat at this point and twice blew good positions by spilling the ball, while the Giants in turn wasted an opportunity of their own with a forward pass.

But on 69 minutes the home side’s hero of the night, winger Williams, produced yet another great finish to complete his first hat trick in the red shirt since his arrival from rugby union outfit Newcastle Falcons last month.

Half back Holdsworth added his third goal and with nine minutes to play the Giants were staring at defeat.

That situation never looked like changing and on the final whistle Holdsworth slammed over a penalty just to make sure.

The Giants Under 18 side slipped to a 46-4 to Salford at YMCA’s Laund Hill ground.

The Under 20 squad are at home at YMCA today against Salford (2.00).

Wigan beat Bradford 60-12.