MATCH DETAILS Gloucester: 44 (21) Tries: Hazell, Fanolua, Garvey, Todd Cons: Paul 3 Pens: Paul 6 Sale: 35 (7) Tries: Robinson 3, Hanley, Jones Cons: Hodgson, Hercus 4

Tries from Andy Hazell, Terry Fanolua and Marcel Garvey had helped the home side to a comfortable 31-7 lead.

But the Sharks scored four tries in a sensational final quarter - with Jason Robinson completing a hat-trick - to reduce the deficit to 37-35.

Robert Todd's injury-time score finally sealed victory for Gloucester, for whom Henry Paul kicked 24 points.

The complicated nature of European qualification means they may not need to play the Wildcard final on 29 May if Wasps win next week's Heineken Cup final.

A Wasps victory would mean an extra English place in next season's competition, which would go to Gloucester - who finished fourth in the league - and send Sale to Twickenham.

But the home side set about making sure they remain in charge of their own destiny.

Two penalties from Paul had Gloucester 6-0 to the good in the first quarter before Robinson scored the first try of the game.

Taking a pass 30 metres out, the England star bounced out of Alex Brown's tackle and away from two other would-be tacklers to cross under the posts.

Gloucester squeaked home despite Robinson's best efforts

Charlie Hodgson's conversion surprisingly had the visitors ahead, but Paul soon regained the lead with his third penalty.

The Cherry-and-Whites then took control of the match with two well-worked tries in four minutes before the interval.

Captain Jake Boer and fly-half Duncan McRae stretched the Sale defence before James Simpson-Daniel put Hazell over in the left corner.

The home pack cranked up the pressure again moments later and McRae's pass out the back of his hand saw Fanolua crash over from close range.

Paul converted the second for a 21-7 half-time lead and any thoughts of a possible Sharks comeback appeared to evaporate on the resumption.

McRae's pin-point cross kick bounced invitingly for Garvey, whose pace took him clear of the retreating Sale defence to touch down.

Paul's conversion and a further penalty looked to have sealed victory at 31-7 heading into the final quarter.

We tried to throw it away there at the end Gloucester fly-half Duncan McRae

Chris Mayor's midfield break saw Robinson scorch over for his and Sale's second, but two Paul penalties put Gloucester 37-14 up with 10 minutes left.

But three Sale tries in as many minutes nearly sparked an incredible upset.

First, with four minutes of normal time left, Robinson created a try for Hanley, then Chris Jones galloped over after breaks from Vaughan Going and Andy Titterrell.

When Robinson scored his third, and Hercus knocked over his fourth conversion, Sale had reduced the deficit to two points heading into injury-time.

But as they attempted a final counter attack from their own line, Todd - who will switch to the Sharks next season - intercepted a pass to bring relief to Kingsholm.

Gloucester Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Deacon, Eustace, Brown, Boer (c), Hazell, Buxton.
Replacements: Du Preez, Roncero, Wood, Cornwell, Amor, Van der Bergh, Todd.

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Mayor, Rhys Jones, Hanley, Hodgson, Benton, Stewart, Titterrell, Turner, Day, White, Jones, Perrett, Davies
Replacements: Rodham, Halsall, Schofield, Lund, Wigglesworth, Hercus, Going.