Sale Sharks have ended their woeful run of results by recording a dramatic single-point victory over Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup.
Cardiff stormed into a 24-9 lead in the first half at Edgeley Park, thanks in no small part to an Alex Cuthbert hat-trick.
Nick Macleod successfully kicked four penalties for Sale in the opening 40 minutes, but the hosts went in 24-12 behind at the midway point.
Replacement Danny Cipriani, Mark Jennings and Tony Buckley all touched down for a rejuvenated Sale in the second half.
A Rob Miller penalty then gave Sale a four-point lead with four minutes remaining.
Leigh Halfpenny struck his seventh goal of the afternoon to set up a tense finish, but the side that have lost all six of their Aviva Premiership matches this season hung on to claim a remarkable win.
Robert Summerscales
