London Irish 6 (3) Pens: Mapletoft (2) Sale 9 (6) Pens: Hercus (3)

Mike Hercus kicked Sale Sharks to an unlikely victory over London Irish and up to second in the Zurich Premiership.

Hercus, a stand-in for Charlie Hodgson, landed two first-half penalties and a 40-metre drop-goal as Sale built up a 9-0 lead against the run of play.

London Irish's usually dependable Mark Mapletoft missed his first four penalty chances and two drop-goal attempts.

He notched either side of half-time but missed again in the 71st minute and the visitors held on for the win.

Irish only had themselves to blame after dominating the game territorially and launching attack after attack.

That their efforts came to little was down to a combination of puzzling errors and stout defensive play by Sale.

The hosts were denied a try midway through the first half when winger Scott Staniforth lost out to Oriol Ripol in the race for Mapletoft's kick ahead.

It wasn't pretty but it's four points in the bag and we are very pleased Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre

And they failed to take advantage when Sale number eight Pete Anglesea was sin-binned for stamping shortly before half-time.

Sale's only real try-scoring chance was squandered in the second half when winger Chris Mayor spilled the ball when almost through the Irish defence.

With Wasps losing to Newcastle, Sale move into second place in the table.

Meanwhile, London Irish's fifth-successive league defeat leaves them in danger of being dragged into the relegation dogfight.

London Irish: Armitage; Staniforth, Penney, Catt, Sackey; Mapletoft, Edwards; Hatley (capt), Flavin, Hardwick; Kennedy, Casey, Gustard, Dawson, Murphy.
Replacements (from): Durant, Van Der Walt, Roche, Strudwick, Reid, Danaher, Bishop, Mordt, Hodgson.

Sale: Hanley; Ripol, Baxendell, Todd, Mayor; Hercus, Redpath (capt); Sheridan, Roddam, Turner; Day, Schofield; Carter, Lund, Anglesea.
Replacements (from): Stewart, Bozzi, Caillet, Martens, Wiggleworth, Payne, Duffy, Rhys Jones.