HULL FC's play-off hopes continue to hang in the balance after a 35-22 defeat at Salford Red Devils, with Rangi Chase once again running the Black and Whites ragged.
A lack of leadership was clear as FC were without skipper Gareth Ellis, and the first half was one to officially forget for the visitors.
The 2011 Man of Steel set the game alight with an 80m intercept from a sloppy Liam Watts pass, and his pass to Mason Caton-Brown was finished by the winger for a 10-0 lead shortly afterwards.
As the rain began to fall at the AJ Bell Stadium, Josh Griffin slotted over a penalty before the break as Chase cheekily punted a drop-goal on the half-time hooter.
The Red Devils took a 13-0 advantage, and it proved to be unlucky for some as FC suffered a miserable first 40 minutes, which continued in the second half.
Josh Griffin touched down for a well-deserved try in the corner thanks to the Salford half-back's grubber to extend the Devils' lead.
Alarm bells began ringing in FC's ears and they sprung to life.
Quick-fire tries from Dean Hadley and Kirk Yeaman brought the deficit to nine, but a pivotal moment in the match was to follow.
Tom Lineham had a score harshly ruled out for stepping into touch, and Greg Johnson went up the other end to capitalise on sloppy defending. Jordan Rankin was also sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul in the run-up to the score.
Darrell Griffin rubbed salt in the wounds moments later to crash over under the sticks, as Hull were left searching four scores for a victory.
They managed to claimed two, with Yeaman securing his brace and Jamie Shaul touching down following a 50m sprint.
But Caton-Brown put the game to bed right on the hooter for a 35-22 win, and Chase had the final word with the conversion.
Hull now travel to Wigan on Friday hoping to pick up a victory which would bring their top-eight ambitions back on board.
But it could be too late now for Lee Radford's side, with five of the top six still left to play in Super League.
