Midfielder Johnny Leota secured a last-gasp bonus point in Sale's victory over Pau that keeps alive their Challenge Cup quarter-final hopes.
Andrei Ostrikov, Neville Edwards and Will Addison ran in first-half efforts at Stade du Hameau to put the Aviva Premiership club on course for a victory.
Pau fought back in the second-half, and it was not until the closing seconds that Sale were able to run in the all-important fourth try through Leota.
England fly-half Danny Cipriani slotted two conversions and a penalty in the 27-3 victory that keeps Sale just two points off Pool 2 leaders Newport Gwent Dragons.
The rivals will clash for the prize of group winners at AJ Bell Stadium next weekend after the Dragons overcame Castres 31-18 at Rodney Parade.
Tries from Hallam Amos, Nic Cudd and Elliot Dee helped the Welsh region into a 21-3 lead before Castres staged a fightback that was was nullified when replacement second rower Alexander Bias was red carded in the 58th minute for making a tackle with his head.
Winger Ashton Hewitt brought up the bonus point with eight minutes remaining.
Edinburgh are top of Pool 5 following a 23-0 home victory over Agen.
Magnus Bradbury, Mike Cowman, Greig Tonks and Hamish Watson crossed the whitewash in the Scottish side's win while Tonks added an early penalty to go with his try.