Leicester Tigers continued the unbeaten start to the Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a four-point, 14-18, victory away to Sale Sharks on Friday night.
Ollie Hassell-Collins, who made it two tries in two weeks after scoring on debut in last weekend's 50-6 win over Caldy RFC at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and Josh Bassett - in his senior club debut - were Leicester's try-scorers.
Charlie Atkinson, with two penalties, and Handré Pollard added the remaining points from the tee.
It was a quiet first half for the scoreboard attendant, who was only required in the 37th minute when Atkinson sent his second attempt of the night through the posts to see the visitors to a three-point lead at the break.
The Leicester fly-half sent his first shot wide after just 20 minutes before the home side missed their only chance of the opening half on the half hour mark.
While it only produced three points it was a fast and physical first half offered up for the almost 3,500 fans to enjoy in Salford.
Atkinson took only three minutes to double the lead in the second half with his second penalty goal of the night before he was subbed with thirty minutes remaining for Pollard in his first appearance of the new season.
Sale were the next to score, in the 53rd minute, after pressure paid off for the hosts and they crashed over from close range and converted the score to lead 7-6.
But the lead only lasted two minutes before Leicester trucked their way up field and Pollard's quick hands down the left hand side in attack sent Hassell-Collins into space to cross in the corner.
The South African added the two points from out wide to take Tigers back out to a six-point lead, which became 11 only five minutes later after Bassett's debut try.
A rampaging run from Mike Williams helped establish a strong attacking position for Leicester which they exploited as the ball went quickly to the right wing, through Pollard and Jamie Shillcock, and into Bassett's hands to weave his way through the last line of defence.
Both teams traded blows in the final 15 minutes before a converted try to Sale, a man up in attack after a yellow card for Pollard, with less than a minute left on the clock cut the Tigers lead to four points, 14-18.
A final attacking push from the Sharks from the re-start in the 80th minute was denied as the visitors defence held strong and secured the first win away to Sale for Leicester Tigers since the 2017/18 season.
Commentary
TIGERS WIN IT IN SALE
Leicester Tigers hold on for a four-point, 14-18, win over Sale Sharks.
CON | SALE SHARKS
Leicester's lead is just four points, 14-18, with sixty seconds left on the clock after a touchline conversion from the home side.
TRY | SALE SHARKS
The home side cut the deficit to six points with a try from close range on the back of field position gifted to them through back to back infringements.
75
FINAL STAGES IN SALE
The home side on the attack deep inside Leicester's end with less than five minutes on the clock and look for a cheeky chip-kick over the top ... but chasers are ruled offside.
70
TEN TO GO IN SALE
Just ten minutes left on the clock at Salford Stadium and Leicester's lead remains 11 points.
CHANGES IN THE PACK
A couple of changes in the pack for Leicester with Sam Carter for Mike Williams and Joshua Manz for Emeka Ilione.
TRY | BASSETT
Strong, physical carries from the Tigers pack establish momentum for the visitors and the backs make use of it.
The ball is moved quickly through hands to Josh Bassett on the right wing and the debutant dances his way through the last line of Sharks defenders to extend the lead to 11 points.
TRIPLE CHANGE UP FRONT
Dan McKellar opts to switch the entire front row just shy of the hour mark with James Whitcombe, Nic Dolly and Will Hurd on in place of Francois van Wyk, Charlie Clare and Joe Heyes.
CON | HANDRÉ POLLARD
Handré Pollard adds the extras from out wide to extend Leicester's lead to six points approaching the hour mark in Sale.
TRY | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS
The Tigers hit back immediately with a score out wide in the left corner to Ollie Hassell-Collins after some quick hands through the Leicester backs to see the speedster in space.
CON | SALE SHARKS
The Sharks lead by one point, 7-6, after 54 minutes.
TRY | SALE SHARKS
Pressure pays off for Sale as the home side cross for their - and the game's - first try on the back of several phases deep inside the Leicester half.
POLLARD INTRODUCED
For the first time this season, Handré Pollard is on.
The South African replaces Charlie Atkinson at fly-half.
PEN GOAL | ATKINSON
Just two minutes in to the second half in Sale and Leicester extend the lead to six points with a penalty goal from Charlie Atkinson.
SECOND HALF GETS GOING
Charlie Atkinson gets us going again in Sale!
LEICESTER LEAD AT THE BREAK
The Tigers take a three-point lead into the changing rooms after 40 minutes in Sale.
PEN GOAL | ATKINSON
Charlie Atkinson puts his second attempt of the night straight through the posts to see Leicester on the scoreboard and leading by three after 37 minutes.
35
TIGERS ON THE PROWL
Leicester making strides in attack, on the back of brave defence, to be inside the home side's end with ball in hand some momentum behind them.
30
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
The home side miss a chance to take a 3-0 lead with a penalty goal attempt going wide approaching the half hour mark.
25
FIGHTING FOR FIELD POSITION
It has tightened up a little on-field here in Sale and both sides are looking to find themselves in a better spot to try and add to the scoreboard.
20
TIGERS GAIN TERRITORY
Leicester find themselves, for the first time in a long while, deep inside the home side's half.
A chance for points presents itself too after back to back indiscretions from Sale. But, unfortunately, Charlie Atkinson's penalty goal attempt goes wide.
15
DEFENSIVE PERIOD
Leicester forced to hold on for a handful of minutes and do just that, keeping the Sale side out to see it remain scoreless after 15 minutes.
10
TIGHT TUSSLE
Not much between these two sides here in Sale this evening...
But, despite the 0-0 scoreline after ten minutes, there is plenty of attacking and physical rugby on show.
5
FAST START
Exciting opening five minutes in Sale with both sides willing to attack.
UNDERWAY IN SALE!
The home side get Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup going.