Sale: 19 Tries: Carter, Mayor, Cueto Cons: Hodgson (2) Bath: 10 Tries: Daniel Cons: Malone Pens: Malone

The hosts took the lead on 17 minutes when Mayor slipped Chris Malone's tackle and touched down in the corner.

Malone pulled back three points with a 23rd-minute penalty but Jos Baxendell's quick hands then freed Cueto to score.

Carter got his try from a pick and drive at a scrum in first-half injury time, but Sale missed out on a bonus point as Bath scored a consolation try.

But Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre was dissatisfied and felt Bath had been guilty of stifling his side illegally.

He said: "When two or three guys are killing the ball and all the time there are injuries, players deserve the yellow card. It was very frustrating."

But he added: "We have played 17 games and won 13 at this stage of the season and that is not bad."

Meanwhile, Bath coach John Connolly also expressed his frustration.

"We gifted them tries and dropped the ball and you can't afford to do that against a side of quality," he said.

However, Connolly was encouraged by the commitment of his team, which included promising young try scorer Ryan Davis.

Davis was making only his second appearance at Premiership level. "They gave us everything," he praised.

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Todd, Hanley, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Sheridan, Bruno, Stewart, Day, Schofield, White, Carter, Chabal.
Replacements: Titterell, Turner, Anglesea, Jones, Foden, Hercus, Mayor.

Bath: Perry, Higgins, Welsh, Barkley, Daniel, Malone, Walshe, Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Mears, Stevens, Fidler, Scaysbrook, Williams, Davis, Maddock.