A David Horwitz penalty eight minutes from time helped Connacht to a nail-biting 20-18 win over European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 3 rivals Sale Sharks.
The win leaves Sale on top by virtue of a superior points difference ahead of the final pool games next Saturday when Sale host Perpignan and Connacht travel to Bordeaux.
Connacht had begun much the stronger and built a 17-0 advantage inside the opening quarter courtesy of tries by centre Kyle Godwin and scrum half James Mitchell straight from the resulting kick-off after a hack ahead.
Fly-half Jack Carty landed both conversions to add to an early penalty and Sale were desperate for a response which duly arrived just before the break as England winger Chris Ashton rounded off some crisp approach work.
Faf de Klerk converted and was inspirational in the fightback as he crossed for a try ten minutes into the second half before landing two penalties to give Sale an 18-17 advantage with 15 minutes remaining.
In a tense finale it was Horwitz who landed the knockout blow for Connacht to set up what promises to be an exciting climax next weekend.
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