Salford strengthened their lead at the League Two summit as first-half goals from Brendan Wiredu and Daniel Udoh secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

Peter Cklamovski's side battled their way to a sixth successive victory as they withstood a spirited Gas fightback after the break to stretch their lead over second-placed Barnet to four points - albeit having played two games more.

The in-form Ammies, last beaten in the league back in August, took control on six minutes when midfielder Wiredu's whipped shot from 20 yards fled over Brad Young's dive.

They made the most of more flat-footed defending on 20 minutes when Udoh nipped in ahead of his marker to tuck home Luke Molyneux's near-post cross.

Rovers wasted a potential lifeline when Ellis Harrison thumped a 54th-minute penalty against the crossbar after Molyneux upended Clinton Mola.

But Steve Evans' team were not to be denied for long as left-back Jack Sparkes beat Will Norris with a curling 20-yard free-kick.

It set the scene for a tense finale but Salford held firm and condemned their hosts to a fourth straight league defeat.