SALE FC surrendered an early lead to lose 33-12 at Loughborough Students in National League One.

It was Sale who used their chances well at first – some excellent work by the forwards led by Gareth Rawlings, who was returning after a six-month lay-off due to injury, running the line-out that created the first score from a driving maul, Ryan Parkinson giving the visitors an early lead.

The visitors looked to further add to this lead as they dominated the set-pieces for the next 20 minutes or so, due to their heavier pack and solid work around the field creating further opportunities including the awarding of a penalty try for their efforts, giving them a 12-point buffer.

Unfortunately for Sale, their lead did not last long, as the home side crossed the try line to reduce the arrears to five points.

The scores were level after the Students scored once more in the corner.

Just before half time, the Students took the lead as they ran the length of the field to score under the post through their prop Nathan Boye.

To add insult to injury Gareth Rawlings was also shown a yellow card, making the score at the turnaround 19-12 to the home side.

In the second half, it was Sale who once again tried to exert pressure on the home side, thanks to Kieran Dunne and Johnny Leota making positive breaks up the field.

However, these attacks came to nothing as Sale lost possession all too often.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the home side stretched their lead, scoring their bonus-point try after pouncing on a loose ball to go over for a 14-point cushion.

It was the hosts who scored again after a period of sustained pressure from Sale FC to seal a win in their fight to stay up.