Leeds head coach Neil Back believes they can avoid the Aviva Premiership drop despite suffering another setback against Sale on Friday.
Leeds coach says "belief and commitment" will help them beat drop
Leeds head coach Neil Back believes they can avoid the Aviva Premiership drop despite suffering yet another setback against Sale on Friday.
The Sharks won 15-12 at Edgeley Park, with Charlie Hodgson kicking five penalties from as many attempts to take the points despite their opponents scoring two tries.
Henry Fa'afili and Michael Stephenson crossed for Leeds in the first half - a period in which they were largely dominant up front.
However, Hodgson kicked three penalties in the first half and added another two after the break to help ease his own side's relegation fears.
Leeds picked up a losing bonus point but they now lie six points from safety with only five matches remaining.
Their situation might appear perilous but Leeds achieved a great escape last year and Back thinks history could repeat itself.
He said: "It's all about belief and commitment, and at the moment we've got huge belief and a very committed squad.
"It's possible to stay up. We went through it last year, coming out with the same sort of messages, and I believe we will get the job done this year as well.
"And the players believe that too because they want to play in the Premiership."
Destiny
Hodgson will leave Sale to join Saracens at the end of the season, although Leeds might wish he was moving to Headingley after the performance of his opposite number on Friday.
Adrian Jarvis missed three penalties in the opening 40 minutes - two of which cruelly rebounded off a post - and then failed to convert Stephenson's late try.
Back, however, leapt to the defence of his fly-half, saying: "If they go over we would have been walking away with four points instead of one, but I've got no issue with him (Jarvis).
"The good thing with Jarvo is that he will act with confidence when a penalty is awarded and that's what you want from a player."
Back also lost England hooker Steve Thompson to a foot injury but remained defiant despite what was his side's 15th defeat in 17 matches.
He added: "I believe that if we can get a result against Exeter at Headingley next Sunday then we can go to Newcastle the following week for a game that could decide the destiny of both clubs."
Sale executive director of sport Steve Diamond praised his side for a win that all but ended their relegation fears and also paid tribute to Leeds.
Breathing space
Diamond said: "Leeds came out as the fighting force that they are and we did well to turn around at half-time in front.
"It was an error-strewn game but fortunately we just got the four points which hopefully gives us a bit of breathing space."
Diamond also admitted that Sale will find it difficult to replace Hodgson, who has been at the club for 11 years.
"He's top drawer and he will be sadly missed," he added.
