Sale cut the gap on Premiership leaders Saracens thanks to a 30-27 bonus-point win at their AJ Bell Stadium, with Arron Reed touching down for the 2002 and 2005 EPCR Challenge Cup champions with the clock in the red.

Joe Carpenter, Sam Dugdale, Tom Roebuck and Tommy Taylor all crossed for Sale in the first half, who had led 22-10 at the break.

But Niall Annett’s first-half try just before half-time had given the visitors hope, and scores from Jonathan Joseph and Ben Spencer helped Bath edge into the lead with the clock ticking down.

Yet Sale fought back, with wing Reed’s last-minute try out wide sending the AJ Bell Stadium into raptures.

Sale travel to face Cardiff Rugby in their EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie, after dropping down from the Heineken Champions Cup, while Bath Rugby were knocked out in the pool stage after finishing eighth in Pool A.

Meanwhile, in the United Rugby Championship, EPCR Challenge Cup Pool B table toppers Scarlets defeated Vodacom Bulls 37-28 to claim a bonus-point win.

Tries from Dan Davis, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Davies and Johnny McNicholl secured victory at Parc y Scarlets, which will host the Welsh region’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash against CA Brive.

Two-time EPCR Challenge Cup winners Sale Sharks secured a last-minute victory over Bath Rugby in the Gallagher English Premiership match on Friday.