Castleford continued their relentless march towards a first Super League title by beating Leeds 23-12 at Headingley to move seven points clear at the top.
The Tigers' ability to win big matches was questioned after last week's Challenge Cup exit but they edged their big-city neighbours in an absorbing derby played out in front of a crowd of 18,029 to make a significant statement.
Ash Handley had given Leeds an early lead in bizarre circumstances but Super League's top try-scorer Greg Eden levelled the scores and Luke Gale's penalty gave the Tigers a slender 8-6 half-time lead.
Zak Hardaker silenced the Headingley boo-boys with a long-range try after the restart and Leeds were staring down the barrel of yet another defeat in the fixture when Grant Millington touched down.
Adam Cuthbertson gave the Rhinos hope but Castleford's lead was never truly under threat as they continued their dominance over the seven-time Super League champions.
Meanwhile, Matty Smith kicked a long distance drop-goal after the full-time hooter to boot St Helens to victory against Salford at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Smith's perfectly struck kick from 40 metres completed the most remarkable of comebacks from Justin Holbrook's side who had looked dead and buried with seven minutes remaining as they trailed 24-8 and came away with a 25-24 win.
The home side scored three times in the closing stages to claw their way back into the game and eventually seal the win which broke Salford hearts, denying them a first away win against the Saints in 37 years.
Holbrook said: "It was fantastic to see that sort of finish. I'm just as excited as the players."
Hull FC consolidated their top-four credentials with a come-from-behind 40-18 victory over fifth-placed Wakefield at the KCOM Stadium.
The hosts scored 30 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes to recover from 18-10 down and seal their fourth successive victory in all competitions - moving them up to second place in the table.
At Huddersfield, Wigan winger Liam Marshall claimed a brace to take his season's tally to 22 tries in all competitions but it was not enough to decide a hard-fought 19-19 draw at Huddersfield.
The result follows the 16-16 stalemate in the corresponding match at the DW Stadium on March 19 and leaves both sides still hovering dangerously above the cut-off line with the Super League splitting into two after four more rounds.
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