Sale skipper James Gaskell is engulfed by the Wasps defence © Getty Images

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News: Gaskell out for two months

Matches: Sale Sharks 24 - 25 Wasps

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Sale Sharks | Wasps

Sale head coach Mike Brewer was scathing in his assessment of his side's performance after they saw their unbeaten home record in the Aviva Premiership ended by a scrappy 25-24 defeat to Wasps at Edgeley Park.

A late drop goal from Dave Walder, who scored 20 points in all, was enough to give the Londoners their first win on their travels this term. The visitors scored the game's only try, a close-range effort from lock Dan Ward-Smith, but had trailed 24-19 with 20 minutes to play as Charlie Hodgson, in his first appearance of the season, kicked eight penalties for the hosts. But Walder trimmed the gap with his fifth penalty before slotting the vital drop goal from dead in front with two minutes remaining.

And former New Zealand flanker Brewer was furious his side had not closed out the game. "We did our best to lose the game throughout the second half and we achieved what we set out to do," fumed Brewer. "The losing of the game was our match management. When we managed the game like we set out to do we went six points ahead, but then we decided to play another type of game.

"We made mistakes, turned the ball over and gave away penalties. They kicked the penalties and got back in the game. We endeavoured to lose the game. It's entirely down to us."

Despite Hodgson's flawless display when kicking at goal, Brewer was particularly dissatisfied with the tactical aspect of his fly-half's display.

"Dave Walder stuck to their plan for 80 minutes and in the end it won them the game. Charlie didn't manage the game when he should have. He kicked all the penalties but on certain occasions he didn't manage the game. I will be talking through it with him this week. Dave Walder managed the game better than Charlie tonight."

The Premiership takes a break for European competition after this weekend's games, with Sale, who have dropped to eighth, facing a home clash with El Salvador in the Amlin Challenge Cup. And Brewer admits facing a lower-calibre of opposition means his men will spend the three weeks until their next domestic fixture mulling over this defeat.

"Those guys have to deal with that for three weeks because although we play El Salvador next week, it's not in the Premiership and that is our bread and butter."

While Brewer was critical of Hodgson, Wasps rugby director Tony Hanks was understandably delighted with Walder's contribution to a win which moves Wasps up to seventh.

"Sale targeted Dave Walder but he stood up to it and was superb. Not just with his kicking but in his all-round game. We deserved to win and it was a bloody professional job. We showed the attitude is strong and that we are adaptable.

"While there is still a lot of rugby to be played, it was an important win. We are closer to the top half than the bottom and that's important to us."