Bristol Bears blew a golden opportunity to make more club history as they were defeated 35-29 by 14-man Sale Sharks in the second leg of the European Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 at Ashton Gate.
Despite playing for 44 minutes with 14-men or fewer after winger Aaron Reed was shown a red card for a high tackle on Bears winger Luke Morahan, the visitors advance to the quarter-finals 44-39 on aggregate, while Bristol are left looking for meaning and motivation from their remaining four league games.
The game was back and forth throughout the 80 minutes, as countless disciplinary errors and infinite momentum shifts made for a heart-stopping game.
