Newcastle's Andy Perry (left) fights off Sale's Jason Robinson

Sale: (12) 18
Pens: Larrechea (5), Thomas

Newcastle: (16) 26
Tries: McCarthy, Hoyle
Cons: Burke (2)
Pens: Burke (4)

Newcastle handed champions Sale only their third defeat of the season with a two-try away victory at Edgeley Park.

The Falcons, who led 16-12 at the break, scored through Mike McCarthy and James Hoyle as Matt Burke slotted both conversions and added four penalties.

Sale's Daniel Larrechea kicked five penalties and Lee Thomas got the other but it was the Sharks' second loss and third match without scoring a try.

"I apologise. It was a disgrace," said Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre.

"It's the worst performance at home since I've been here. We couldn't catch the ball, we couldn't pass the ball twice and we dropped the ball.

"It was terrible. We made too many mistakes."

Falcons had Andy Parry and Ben Woods sin-binned at the end of each half, while Sale replacement Stuart Turner was red-carded for kneeing David Wilson in added time at the end.

Newcastle boss John Fletcher was delighted with the manner of his side's first away win of the season.

"It's always tough and not a lot of teams win here at any time of the year, so we're pleased," he said.

"We're also pleased to score the only tries of the game as well."

Sale: Robinson; Foden, Taylor, Mayor, Ripol; Larrechea, Wigglesworth; Roberts, Bruno, Evans, Schofield, Day, Bonner-Evans, Lund, Chabal.
Replacements: Titterrell, Turner/Halsall, Cox, Hills/Lloyd, Martens, Tomas/Blair, Hanley.

Newcastle: Burke (capt); May, Hoyle, Mayerhofler, Rudd; Crichton, Dickson; McDonnell, Thompson, Wilson, Perry, Oakes, Parling, Woods, McCarthy.
Replacements: Morris, Long, Wilson, Harris, Shaw, Grindal, Elliott.