Chabal helped to set up Sale's second try

Sale survived a second-half wobble to battle their way into the Premiership top four and leave Harlequins' play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

Tries from Richard Wigglesworth and Andy Vilk helped them to a 23-11 lead, but a pair of yellow cards left them struggling in the final quarter.

Andrew Sheridan was sent to the sin-bin for punching, and Juan Fernandez Lobbe followed him for pulling down a maul.

Quins piled on the pressure but could only muster a try from Danny Care.

Sale now look assured of reaching the Premiership play-offs, and Sunday's win suggests they are serious title contenders.

Despite their defeat, Quins - who finished with a potentially vital bonus point - could yet join them in the semi-finals with Leicester and Wasps also losing.

Sale were battered by an early onslaught from Quins who were rewarded with a try from winger Tom Williams.

Fly-half Adrian Jarvis missed the conversion but slotted a penalty as Sale, whose line-out was misfiring, struggled to find their game.

The Sharks had been in Quins' 22 just once before their first try in the 26th minute.

Lock Chris Jones did the damage with a well-timed run through midfield, with Wigglesworth on hand to complete the move.

Charlie Hodgson converted, and Quins' woes continued when hooker Tani Fuga was stretchered off and replaced by Chris Brooker following a heavy collision.

Sale kept up the pressure, and in the 46th minute excellent work from Sebastien Chabal led to a half-chance down the right which winger Vilk exploited with a fine finish.

Hodgson, who had earlier booted a penalty, added the conversion and his second three pointer to push the Sharks 20-11 ahead at half-time.

Sale remained in control as the match approached the final quarter, with Hodgson landing another penalty.

But then Sheridan was sin-binned for a 60th minute punch on George Robson, forcing referee Dave Pearson to opt for uncontested scrums.

Quins went on the offensive, and when Sharks open-side Lobbe was show a yellow card Sale looked ready to crack.

Care spotted space down the right, darting free and touching down, but Quins could not add to the score.

Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards:
"I looked at the Sale team before the match and felt that on paper it didn't look a bad side.

"They had a lot more experience than us and I hoped that wouldn't prove crucial, but in the end it was the difference between us.

"Our average age is 23 and a half so this team has a brilliant future. Our pack stood up to them very well."

Sale boss Philippe Saint Andre:
"We showed our character because it's never easy to come to a top-four side and win. To do so with 13 men at one stage is fantastic.

"We have qualified for the Heineken Cup and if we beat London Irish then we will be in the semi-finals.

"Our destiny is still in our own hands and that is very pleasing."

Harlequins: Brown; Strettle, Monye, Masson, Williams; Jarvis, Care; Jones, Fuga, Ross, Percival, Robson, Robshaw, Skinner (capt), Guest.
Replacements: Brooker, Brooks, Evans, Easter, So'oialo, Malone, Barry.

Sale: Foden; Kuadey, Bell, McAlister, Vilk; Hodgson, Wigglesworth; Sheridan, Bruno, Turner, Jones, Cockbain, White (capt), Fernandez Lobbe, Chabal.
Replacements: Briggs, Roberts, Cox, Schofield, Hills, Cliff, Riley.