OTLEY'S director of rugby Peter Clegg could see signs of progress after their 40-34 National League Two North home win against Sale last Saturday.

As the score suggests, it was close at times, and the Cross Greeners could have thrown away their victory by a needless flicked pass inside the final minute that could have led to the visitors scoring a converted try to snatch a win.

Clegg agreed it had been a curate's egg of a display by his side, but said: "When we were all on the same (hymn) sheet, we are a half-decent side and we have a good set of young lads."

"And Michael Coady's try was one of the best team tries that you will see and we are pleased to have won."

However, he added: "But we need to perform for 80 minutes.

"We have a habit of resting or switching off, maybe due to a lack of concentration, though it should be remembered that we have lost three major players in the first six weeks of the season."

Sale trailed 8-0 to a try by prop George Burkinshaw and a Stephen Depledge and didn't have a sniff until the 15th minute when Otley prop Adam Blades found himself in the backs and his pass was intercepted by a stretching No 8 Ben Gledhill.

Although Depledge and Henry Roberts added tries, Otley were no longer in charge, and they went in at half-time 27-20 down as Sale ran in three tries.

The result was in the melting pot now but the hosts made the visitors pay for having flanker Adam Aigbokhae sin-binned in the 53rd minute, scoring two tries while he was off the field.

The first was a penalty try and the second that beautiful attack that was finished off by centre Coady, Depledge converting the first before landing a penalty.

Otley were leading 35-27 but were never quite able to put a lid on Sale right winger Sam Stelmaszek, who had started the match at scrum half before two injuries in the opening 20 minutes had caused a reshuffle.

However, Roberts' second try gave the home side just enough leeway to gather five important league points.