Northampton: (6) 6 Pens: Drahm 2 Sale: (16) 23 Tries: Sheridan, Cueto Cons: Hodgson 2 Pens: Hodgson 3

The England fly-half landed three penalties and converted tries by Andrew Sheridan and Mark Cueto.

Saints only scored through two first-half penalties from Shane Drahm despite dominating after the break.

There was more bad news when England hooker Steve Thompson left the field with rib cartilage damage.

Andy Robinson will be fretting over Thompson's fitness ahead of his first match in charge of the England team against Canada on 13 November.

Saints will also be concerned about their home form as they slid to their worst run of league results at Franklin's Gardens since 1997.

We gave away too many penalties and that cost us dearly Northampton coach Alan Solomans

But Northampton coach Alan Solomons believes his injury-hit side's poor form cannot continue.

"You have to keep your head in this sort of situation because it will run its course if you hang tough and that's what we are doing," he said.

"We just have to get the 50-50 breaks and things like injuries will eventually go our way.

"I thought the Sale defence was outstanding. We gave away too many penalties and that cost us dearly."

Sale director of coaching Philippe Saint-Andre was delighted as his side bounced back from last week's defeat to London Irish.

"We were so disappointed after last week when we didn't perform well, said the Frenchman.

"But we came back with a game plan to be more simple and to be good on the set pieces, to play with drive and have good territory.

"We came with the right game plan to beat Northampton."

Northampton: Clarke; Human, Stcherbina, Hyndman, Cohen; Reihana, Robinson; Smith, Thompson, Robinson; Boome, Lord; Fox, Krige, Blowers.
Replacements: Richmond, Morris, Browne, Seely, Howard, Drahm, Tucker

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Taumalolo, Todd, Moore, Hodgson, Martens, Sheridan, Bruno, Turner, Jones, Schofield, White, Lund, Chabal. Replacements: Titterell, Stewart, Day, Anglesea, Redpath, Hercus, Rhys Jones.