Sale Sharks run out of time for comeback against Montpellier

Sale Sharks slipped to defeat against Montpellier in their Heineken Cup fixture this afternoon.

The game started well for the English side, with Mark Cueto scoring a try after three minutes.

The remainder of the first half was a battle of the boot, with Montpellier awarded five penalties and Martin Bustos Moyano kicking four of them successfully.

Rob Millar kicked a further three points for Sharks but missed a second penalty, making it 12-8 to Montpellier at the break.

Millar brought Sale to within one point of the home side with a further penalty kick in the second half.

A dominant 10 minutes for Montpellier saw them open up a 22-point lead thanks to tries from Francois Trinh-Duc, Timoci Nagusa and Julien Tomas.

Richie Vernon gave Sale some late hope, running in a try with six minutes left to play, but the side couldn't build on the momentum.

Sale are second in pool six behind Toulon, remaining ahead of Montpellier on points difference.