SALE FC made a spirited comeback but it was not enough to win them the match against National League One rivals Esher as they went down 48-38 on home soil.

After just three minutes Esher fly-half Paul Roberts slotted home a penalty and Sale responded with a try from winger Paolo Odogwu, but missed the conversion.

Within a minute, Roberts scored again, right under the posts and added the extras, with another converted try from Owen Waters following moments later.

Sale responded again, Jonty Rawcliffe breaching the Esher defence, and Elliot Hodgson scored in the corner, converted by Matthew Bradley.

Following a poor Sale line-out, Esher bagged another seven points, before drawing a penalty which resulted in a yellow card for Sale forward Tom Ailes.

Roberts was successful with the penalty kick, leading to a half time score of Sale FC 12 Esher 27.

Esher flew into the second half with two converted tries and a successful penalty leaving Sale 29 points behind at one point. Esher sub Max Berry was then sin-binned and Sale rallied, Andy Hughes scoring in the corner.

Sale conceded a penalty shortly after the restart when attempting to break out from their 22, the referee awarding a penalty for crossing.

Roberts again added the three points for Esher.

A yellow card for Esher full-back Simpson saw Sale’s luck begin to turn and from the penalty and successful line-out, substitute Stone Priestley Nangle drove over to score, and within two minutes, Neil Briggs did the same.

Another yellow card for Esher hooker Devlin Hope, saw a score from Ryan Parkinson, this time driving through the Esher pack, Bradley adding the extra two points but the comeback bid fell short.