SALE Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond admitted he was left hugely frustrated by last Saturday's narrow 33-32 defeat at Bath.

Leading 32-26, the Sharks looked set to seal a crucial Premiership win when, with just 60 seconds left on the clock, Zach Mercer scored a dramatic try before James Wilson's subsequent conversion secured victory for the hosts.

There had been so much to commend about the Sharks as an attacking force – not least two tries for Denny Solomona, along with a fine score from fellow winger Marland Yarde.

But as he reflected on the result, the Sharks boss said some self-inflicted errors ultimately cost the side dear.

"I think we lost the game ourselves. We defended really well in areas, and we attacked really well too but couldn't receive kick-offs and couldn't exit which was disappointing," Diamond told the club's website.

"I'm disappointed we didn't win the game and the players know my feelings and they are disappointed too.

"We showed when we got decent ball that we could cause Bath problems but we just couldn't get our noses in front by more than one score.

"By not being able to get out of our 22 regularly we put ourselves under pressure to give penalties away and that kept them in the game really. And fair play to Bath, they did well at the end to score.

"We've got good moves and we've got good players but if you don't get your basics right like receiving kick-offs and getting out of our 22 then you can't expect anything else."