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A penalty from Sale Sharks' third kicker of the night, Rob Miller, with seven minutes left settled a game which was both gripping and frustrating. With the introduction of youth, and while Saracens' lock Eoin Sherriff was in the sinbin, the Sharks clawed back from a half time deficit to post the expected ten points whilst a man to the good.

Although they lost their lead within two minutes, the home side snatched it back thanks to Miller's penalty.

Mark Cueto was over the line for his third try of the season in the third minute. The outstanding Richie Vernon had suffered a major infringement at a lineout, but the referee allowed a good advantage and the ball was swiftly moved left for the winger to score.

Within five minutes, Saracens had gone ahead. Mordt kicked a penalty on 7 minutes after Sharks had not released the ball, then immediately the visitors ran in a try from their own 22 line. Auterac, Fenton-Wells and Ransom were all involved in the swift and stylish transfer of the ball upfield before try scorer Ratuvou broke through all too easily. Mordt converted.

Ransom by-passed three men as he again broke through on 14 minutes, but the ball was 'held up' by the home defence.

The rain started to fall at this point, never to cease, and was instrumental in some inevitable errors by both sides.Dwayne Peel, through a chip and chase up the right wing, initiated the Sharks' second try. Saracens put the ball into touch, allowing Sharks a lineout drive. Referee ApGeraint Roberts was swift to award a 20th minute penalty try when the maul was collapsed by the defence. Jordan Davies converted to put Sharks 12-10 up.

Charlie Amesbury featured with two aggressive runs down the right and, had Corne Uys's pass been slightly better timed, could well have gone on to score a try. Sharks were having the better of the exchanges at this stage, but Saracens have indomitable spirit and rattled in ten points in a three minute spell at the back end of the first half.

Skipper Mordt added a penalty on 37 minutes following a raid by Taylor and Ross, then yet another superb Ransom run after he'd collected a Cipriani clearance kick set up a try for the supporting Tomkins in the final phase of the half. Mordt converted for a 20-12 lead.

Sharks fullback Cameron Shepherd, on his home debut, produced three long kicks from defence when the second half started and local lad Jordan Davies unfortunately spilt two passes in quick succession. Sherriff left for ten minutes after foul play at a lineout with 48 minutes gone and, amidst multiple replacements by both sides, Fraser McKenzie burst clear on the blindside from a scrum to cross the whitewash after 51 minutes. Davies converted, then Cipriani slotted over a penalty six minutes later to restore the home lead. Sharks had amassed ten points during Sherriff's absence.

Within two minutes, the lead was lost again when Spencer sent over a penalty. Despite the rain, Sharks were displaying quick hands as the ambition of youth showed through. Will Addison made a determined, powerful run out of defence on 65 minutes. The Sharks 'new' front row, introduced en bloc after 49 minutes, won a penalty at scrum time then Mark Cueto chased well out of defence.

The pressure told when Saracens conceded a penalty on their 22 with seven minutes to go, giving Miller his magic moment. Within a minute, Spencer had a chance to snatch the lead back after Addison had infringed, the ball dropped short.

Tension abounded with the clock ticking down towards zero. Sharks had a good scrum, enabling Vernon to make progress. The ball went into Saracens' possession but heroics from the home side restricted their progress within the visitor's half. Sharks had a scrum with fifteen seconds left. Under rising steam from the sixteen combatants, the ball emerged towards Will Cliff and was swiftly despatched into the East Stand.

Three wins on the run for Sale Sharks at Salford City Stadium.

Steve Diamond said afterwards, "If you weren't involved, it was a good game of rugby! We were poor in the first half defensively. Saracens are a good side, and even though they were missing some players, they know how to win.

"We injected some youth and enthusiasm in the second half, and overall I'm really pleased. We've got a lot of work to do, but I'm delighted with the win."

Attendance: 5,243

Scoring: (Sharks first) 5-0, 5-3, 5-10, 12-10, 12-13, 12-20 (Half Time) 19-20, 22-20, 22-23, 25-23.

Sale Sharks: 15.Cameron Shepherd, 14.Charlie Amesbury, 13.Corne Uys, 12.Jordan Davies, 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Danny Cipriani, 9.Dwayne Peel, 1.Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 2.Joe Ward, 3.Tony Buckley, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.Kearnan Myall, 6.James Gaskell, 7. David Seymour (capt.), 8.Richie Vernon

Replacements: 16.Tommy Taylor for Ward (49), 17.Ross Harrison for Lewis-Roberts (49), 18.Vadim Cobilas for Buckley (49), 19.Tom Holmes, 20.James Doyle (both not used), 21.Will Cliff for Peel (Half Time), 22.Rob Miller for Cipriani (58), 23.Will Addison for Davies (55)