Charlie Hodgson's last-ditch touchline tackle on Paul Sackey ensured the Zurich Premiership's unlikely title contenders finished level 19-19 at Heywood Road on Saturday afternoon.

Sackey sensed a glory dash to the line when Steve Hanley's attempted clearance kick flicked off a stray Exiles boot and straight into the winger's hands.

But Hodgson cut down the angle before tackling Sackey into touch two metres from the Sale line to give his side an honourable draw after they had clawed their way back from a 16-6 deficit.

Sale welcomed back skipper Bryan Redpath after almost two months out following a hernia operation.

But the Scotland international found himself outplayed by opposite number Darren Edwards, who cajoeled his forwards into a series of powerful blasts down the middle which kept the home side on the back foot for most of the opening period.

Stand-off Charlie Hodgson was on target with two penalties, but one robust tackle on Edwards apart, Jonny Wilkinson's England stand-in was below par, twice failing to find touch with simple kicks, then booting out on the full when Sale needed to relieve the mounting pressure.

Even Jason Robinson couldn't inspire a change in fortunes, one dashing run down the left wing coming to nothing, before his attacking edge was blunted.

Exiles stand-off Barry Everitt landed three penalties before lock Ryan Strudwick toppled over for the opening try.

Irish did lose flanker Eddie Halvey with a leg injury, but his replacement Declan Danaher, courted by Ireland before being named in Clive Woodward's England development squad last week, proved a powerful ally to Naka Drotske who repeatedly punched holes in the Sale rearguard.

In contrast, the Irish defence was rock solid. One concerted period of Sale possession started 30 metres from the visitors line and ended on halfway, such was the tackling strength.

Everitt lost his 100% goalkicking record when a 40-metre chance drifted wide shortly before the interval after Pete Anglesea had been punished for stamping on a ruck with the ball nowhere in sight.

Referee John Barnard had frustrated Irish on three occasions during the opening period by ruling they had held onto the ball in tackle in attacking situations, demanding an almost instant release.

It was Sale's turn to suffer in the second period, although Everitt couldn't take advantage, twice failing to add to his side's lead from promising positions.

It was to prove costly. Geoff Appleford had a dismal two-minute period just before the hour, putting his own team under pressure with an atrocious clearance which entered touch nearer his own line than when he kicked it.

The Exiles centre then refused to roll away after hauling Robinson to the ground, allowing Hodgson to bring Sale back within striking distance.

By that time, Irish had replaced their entire front-row, losing the impetus their earlier efforts had gained.

Redpath's delayed pass sent Robinson scurrying clear, although Exiles player-coach Brendan Venter managed to claw him back, suffering an injury in the process which required the introduction of Ed Thrower as the South African's replacement.

Hodgson failed with a touchline penalty attempt, but after Steve Hanley and Josh Baxendell combined to take Sale within a metre of the Irish line, the young stand-off found Mel Deane with a short pass and the centre raced under the posts.

The conversion brought the scores level and was the cue for a change of referee, Barnard giving way to a hamstring injury and senior touch judge Steve Savage taking over the whistle.

Hodgson put Sale back in front with his fourth penalty, only for Everitt to respond almost immediately.

Sackey might have won it at the end, but the result was fair, even if champions-elect Leicester are the main beneficiaries.