SALE Sharks chances of making the top six in the Aviva Premiership took were dealt a body blow with a home 25-23 defeat to Harlequins.

Speaking after the game to the club's website, director of rugby Steve Diamond said: "The top six is drifting away from us but we have got to keep the seventh spot and then if things go our way with the results in the European Rugby Challenge Cup then we may get an opportunity.

"In a fortnight, we have Newcastle Falcons here to round off our home games."

Quins opened the scoring with a try for Charlie Walker before Danny Cipriani reduced the deficit to 5-3 with a penalty after the first 20 minutes.

But then England skipper Chris Robshaw touched down for a converted try and things went from bad to worse when Marlon Yarde evaded a couple of tackles to get on the scoresheet.

Cipriani and Quins fly-half Nick Evans exchanged penalties to make it 6-25

Hopes of a revival were led by substitute Tom Arscott and Cipriani added the conversion just before the hour-mark.

Arscott took his tally to 15 tries for the season with his second score but sadly Joe Ford's conversion was wide.

On 75 minutes, veteran Mark Cueto scored an incredible try to reduce the arrears to two points but Ford's conversion hit the post this time.

Diamond added:" Our first half performance was awful, but the lads regrouped at half time and came out fighting.

"We gifted them three of their four tries and whilst Joe Ford missed two kicks, his ball in hand work when he came on was excellent and he created two tries."

The clubs are hosting a fans night on May 5 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The evening will begin from 5.30pm whereby guests will be greeted by Sharky and Finlay before being shown up to the suite where there will be a host of activities going on.

The first team players will be in attendance and Steve Diamond and a couple of the boys will be part of a question and answer session hosted by BBC Radio Manchester’s Nathan Middleton where you’ll get the opportunity to hear about how the seasons gone and what to expect for next year.

If you’d like to attend please email info@salesharks.com to find out more information.