Should Salford’s Super League licence application be successful, they will face better teams than Wakefield Trinity Wildcats next season and Shaun McRae, their coach, was made painfully aware of the on-field improvements he needs to implement. Trinity proved too strong, too quick and too inventive for the National League One leaders.

Inspired by Danny Brough, the Scotland captain and scrum half for the forthcoming World Cup, the Wildcats scored seven tries in a largely one-sided affair despite falling behind early on to Andy Ballard’s simple penalty.

Three tries in five minutes midway through the first half effectively ended Salford’s chances of an upset. Wakefield had already levelled through Brough’s penalty when Scott Grix’s surge was supported by Tevita Leo-Latu and finished by Jamie Rooney, the stand-off.

Brough’s kicking game was again outstanding but it was his pace from dummy half that created Trinity’s second score as Ryan Atkins powered through from close range. Another inspired moment from Brough put Grix over in the corner before Rooney’s run set Sam Obst clear to give the visiting team a 20-point buffer.

Few coaches enjoy the Challenge Cup as much as John Kear, who triumphed with Sheffield in 1998 and Hull in 2005, and Wakefield will be confident regardless of who they draw in the fifth round.

Scorers: Salford: Try: Alker. Goals: Ballard 2. Wakefield: Tries: Rooney, Atkins, Grix, Obst, Brough, Gleeson, Leo-Latu. Goals: Brough 5. Salford City Reds: K Fitzpatrick; A Ballard, J Turner, M Gardner, P White; R Paul, R Myler; P Leuluai, M Alker, C Stapleton, I Sibbit, A Brocklehurst, L Adamson. Interchange: S Ratchford, L Jewitt, P Highton, S Littler. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: M Blaymire; S Gleeson, T Martin, R Atkins, S Grix; J Rooney, D Brough; R Bibey, S Obst, R Moore, D MacGillivray, J Golden, J Pitts. Interchange: O Wilkes, T Leo-Latu, K Bibb, J Griffin. Referee: A Klein.