It was a cruel outcome for Gloucester who, already having lost Tindall and Hazell to injury, could have completely capitulated when Charlie Sharples was red carded for a seemingly reckless challenge.

Already the Cherry and Whites seemed to be getting the rough edge of the refereeing decisions and a team with less character would have buckled.

But a dogged second half fightback got Gloucester back in touch before Hodgson added his sixth and seventh penalties to finally kill off the visitors' challenge.

Head Coach Bryan Redpath said after the game that he was proud of his team's character and the travelling Gloucester support showed their appreciation for their team's efforts after the game.

Gloucester seemed to be dealt a favour before the game as Sale were denied the services of Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait and Tim Wigglesworth who were away with England but Mike Tindall was released to play.

Bryan Redpath's side came to Edgeley Park perhaps expecting a diet of Charlie Hodgson penalty goals and up and unders and weren't disappointed although the former England international did mix in a few deft chips for good measure.

And it was the worst possible start as Charlie Hodgson's kick off was fumbled and Andrew Hazell picked up the ball in an offside position giving the England international an easy kick for 3-0.

Gloucester had a few more errors to get out of their system but finally got it going in an attacking sense with both locks and Alasdair Strokosch prominently ball carrying and Nicky Robinson testing the home defence.

Sale for their part set out to try and blast their way through Gloucester's midfield defence with big ball carriers attempting to smash their way through.

But it was a Sale turnover in midfield that led to Gloucester's first chance although slow ball in the home 22 meant that Nicky Robinson had to settle for a drop goal that went in off the post and Gloucester were then dealt a blow as Mike Tindall limped off to be replaced by Charlie Sharples.

Hodgson then put Gloucester under real pressure with a couple of well weighted chip kicks to force a 5m scrum but the pack won a moral victory and a vital penalty.

But Hodgson struck next as Tom Voyce took an up and under but was fractionally outside his 22 and couldn't mark the ball. Ben Cohen flattened the full back who didn't release and Hodgson added his second penalty for a 6-3 lead on 23 minutes.

Sharks' centre Lee Thomas was off target with a penalty inside his own half on 26 minutes as Gloucester continued to make errors and a long kick running dead from Voyce led to the first home try.

Dwayne Peel made a sniping break from the scrum back in Gloucester territory to breach the Gloucester defence and Thomas was on hand to take the scoring pass. Hodgson converted for 13-3 on the half hour.

But Gloucester came straight back forcing Sale into a short kick from their 22. The pack drove initially, Simpson-Daniel and James both made inroads before Tom Voyce dived over in the corner. Robinson's touchline conversion was just off target but Gloucester were back in the game at 13-8.

But Hodgson restored an 8 point margin on 35 minutes as Gloucester were penalised for offside for not retreating after a kick ahead and then faced a mountain to climb as Charlie Sharples was sent off for taking out Sharks' winger Marika Vakacegu in the air.

There was still time for a visibly grimacing Andrew Hazell to have to be helped from the field before the interval with Head Coach Bryan Redpath facing a crucial half time team talk and possibly wondering what else could go wrong.

Gloucester needed a good start to the second period and got it as Robinson kicked his first penalty from in front of the posts as Sale were guilty of a lazy runner but Hodgson immediately cancelled it out with a penalty of his own for 19-11 after 46 minutes.

The game suffered a lengthy pause as Shark's Brent Cockbain received treatmnt before being stretchered off to sympathetic applause but Hodgson lifted the crowd with his fifth penalty to extend the lead to 22-11.

The pick and go game got Gloucester moving forward with the game going into the final quarter and skipper Gareth Delve opted for a couple of kicks to the corner but the Sale defence held.

And then Gloucester's night was typified as a turnover led to Rory Lawson sniping down the blindside before drawing the final man but Akapusi Qera couldn't gather the pass.

But the recent domination of possession finally paid off as Gloucester worked the phases and Will James showed strength and determination to force his way over. Robinson converted to hint at an unlikely comeback with 13 minutes to go.

However, it was all undone by indiscipline as Hodgson added penalties on 73 and 75 minutes to move Sale into a 28-18 lead and Gloucester out of bonus point range.

However, still Gloucester refused to lie down and when Greg Somerville burrowed his way over from close range, the scoreline was back to 28-23.

However, Robinson couldn't add the extras from the touchline and Gloucester's final attacking move came to naught to leave everyone with Cherry and White connections in a mixed state of emotions.

Obviously, there was the bitter taste of defeat but also real pride in the character of the side and the way they fought back to very nearly snatch the spoils.