Premiership: Sale Sharks 12-13 Newcastle

Newcastle clinched only their second victory at the AJ Bell Stadium

Newcastle's late penalty try clinched victory over Sale Sharks on an error-strewn night at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The hosts dominated the first-half possession but held only a 3-0 lead at the break courtesy of AJ MacGinty's boot.

Sonatane Takulua levelled the scores in the second and, after the two kickers traded penalties, MacGinty extended Sale's cushion to six points.

However, Falcons' pack had the last word to maintain their 100% start.

Dean Richards' side had not started a Premiership campaign with a pair of victories since 2004, but have done so this season without two key new signings.

Former England international Toby Flood is another week or two away from full fitness, while France's Maxime Mermoz should be available for their next game against Saracens in Philadelphia on 16 September.

Sale, meanwhile, have lost their first two matches and will know the importance of their next home game against London Irish next Friday.

The match was a far cry from the try-scoring heights of round one, with one of the best chances coming in the first five minutes.

Will Addison's 50-metre break provided Byron McGuigan with the momentum to catch Newcastle's defence off guard and, at full stretch, McGuigan thought he had done enough. However, the TMO deemed the winger had knocked on while trying to ground the ball.

The visitors had enjoyed little possession or field position until the closing stages, however they took their opportunity well.

After 73 minutes the Falcons set up a textbook driving maul and when referee Andrew Jackson deemed Marc Jones to have collapsed it, seven points were the result.

The visitors had Alex Tait sin-binned late on, but held firm to secure victory.

Sale: Haley; Solomona, Addison (c), Jennings, McGuigan; MacGinty, De Klerk; Harrison, Neild, Tarus, Ostrikov, Beaumont, Ross, T Curry, Strauss.

Replacements: Jones, Flynn, John, Nott, B Curry, Ioane, Cliff, James.

Newcastle: Hammersley; Tait, Harris, Matavesi, Agulla; Hodgson, Takulua; Vickers, Lawson, Welsh, Green, Witty, Wilson, Welch (c), Chick.

Replacements: S Socino, Mavinga, Davison, Cavubati, Latu, Stuart, JP Socino, Goneva.