Sale Sharks have lost their fifth successive Pool One game courtesy of a narrow 22-13 defeat to top of the table Clermont Auvergne in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Camille Lopez's deadly boot kept the scoreboard ticking over for the French side in a physical contest that saw no tries scored in the opening period.
Sale were the first to register after the break when they were awarded a penalty try in the 50th minute after a driving maul was held up just short of the line.
Danny Cipriani's penalty briefly gave the home side a one-point advantage before Lopez scored his fifth penalty of the game to regain Clermont's lead.
The visitors assured victory late on when Fritz Lee powered over the try line after running off the back of a scrum.
