SALE Sharks got a taste of what they will be missing next season as flying full-back Ben Foden scored a try in his first start for the club since November.

Foden is on his way to Northampton in the summer to play scrum-half and Sharks will miss his deadly turn of pace.

Foden's try helped Sharks end their run of back-to-back defeats in the Guinness Premiership with victory at Edgeley Park against leaders Gloucester. The win secures Sharks' place in the top four and closed the gap on the leaders.

The visitors drew first blood when stand-off Willie Walker landed a penalty on six minutes after Sharks were punished for coming in from the side but his opposite number, Charlie Hodgson pulled Sharks level just two minutes later. Hodgson was on target again on 15 minutes but Sharks then had to be on guard when Gloucester centre Anthony Allen chipped ahead and chased but his kick was just too long.

It was his first time back at Edgeley Park since his summer departure but there was no warm welcome for former hooker Andy Titterrell as he headed for the blood bin for treatment just minutes into the game, but he was soon back in the thick of it.

Having missed an easier kick on 18 minutes, Hodgson made amends with his fourth as Gloucester were punished for their lack of discipline.

The cherry and whites had ample opportunity to close the gap but Walker failed with two straightforward efforts and Sharks were let off.

Sharks came close after a good break from Chris Jones but Sebastien Chabal fumbled as he headed for the line while at the other end Walker finally found his range and reduced the gap to three points at the interval. Sharks were playing with more urgency than in recent weeks and the visitors again struggled to cope with the pace.

Hodgson added a fourth penalty three minutes into the second-half and Gloucester were then reduced to 14 men when lock Dan Tuohy was sin-binned for pulling down Chris Jones at the lineout.

In his absence, Sharks marched ahead with a drop goal from Hodgson and then Foden finished off a great move to score out wide and Hodgson converted.

With Tuohy back on, Gloucester hit back with a Walker penalty and then launched an assault on the Sale line but the Sharks defence held firm.

Foden caused another scare late on as he sprinted down the touchline and then chipped ahead for Luke McAlister to chase but the Gloucester defence proved equal to it.

In the dying seconds, Jones was handed a yellow card for some mischief in the scrum and Gloucester were awarded a penalty try which Walker converted to secure a losing bonus point. Tweet