Alex Henderson scored a superb early goal to make it three successive wins for Accrington Stanley who have moved into the top half of the table - and within six points of the play-off places.
Salford could have gone second with a win but Stanley defended strongly to keep a clean sheet against the Ammies live on Sky television.
Conor Grant came in for Seamus Conneely in the only change to the starting XI from the 3-1 win over Cheltenham. Josh Smith and Charlie Hall came onto the bench with Conneely and David Abimbola missing out.
Former Reds Matt Butcher and Rosaire Longelo started for Salford with Zach Awe on the bench.
Stanley got off to a flying start with a Henderson wonder goal on four minutes. The winger got the ball on the edge of the box and hit it sweetly to find the top of the net. It was his fifth goal of the campaign.
Ryan Graydon’s header was comfortable for Ollie Wright on 12 minutes and the Stanley keeper denied Graydon again two minutes later after the striker got the ball in the area.
In between, Josh Woods had the ball in the net but it was ruled off-side.
Stanley were impressive, forcing the pace, helped by having the wind advantage.
After a lively opening, goalmouth action was at a premium with a Grant long-range strike on 34 minutes safely collected by City keeper Matthew Young.
Shaun Whalley tried to catch Young off his line on 45 minutes with a chip from the half-way line but the keeper was there.
Jorge Grant forced the first save of the second half on 49 minutes, Wright keeping out his low shot, before Kelly Nmai fired into the side netting.
Isaac Sinclair slipped as he shot on 58 minutes with Young there to keep out his effort as the Reds looked for a second.
Luke Garbutt’s low free kick was tipped out by Wright as Salford boss Karl Robinson made two forward changes on 66 minutes.
However Stanley had the next chance, Devon Matthews stabbing wide from the six-yard box.
Salford kept pressing with an Alfie Dorrington header saved by Wright and Graydon fired wide after bursting into the box.
Stanley were defending resolutely, throwing their bodies in front of everything and Wright made a superb save to keep out Daniel Udoh on 86 minutes.
At the other end, Young kept out an Isaac Heath strike after the Everton loanee weaved his way into the area.
Stanley held on for a celebrated win and moved into 12th place.
Stanley: Wright, Love, Rawson, Matthews, O’Brien, Grant, Sinclair (Butterfield), Heath, Whalley, Henderson, Woods
Subs: Kelly, Sass, Caton, Brown, Smith, Hall
Crowd: 1892 (346 SC)
Yellow: O’Brien
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