LUCTONIANS captain Dan Smith says the National League 2 North side need to know how to close out games after slumping to their sixth defeat of the season at Sale.

The Kingsland side are rock bottom of the division having won once this campaign and face a tough trip at Macclesfield this Saturday.

"Defensively, we were very strong, but we are having lapses in concentration for 10 minutes in games," said Smith.

"We definitely deserved something from Saturday, even if it was a losing bonus point, but we are not playing our best rugby.

"We gave them a 15 point head-start after going into the lead, so you're playing catch-up.

"Winning and closing out games is almost like a habit, but we haven't got that habit yet.

"No doubt it will be a tough game at Macclesfield but we played them two years ago and despite losing both games, we put up a good show and I don't think they are as strong as they were before they got promoted."

One positive from Saturday's game was the return of Louis Silver.

The scrum-half, who flourished while at loan at Luctonians last season, scored half of Lucs' points.

"It was a huge plus to have Louis back because he is a guiding light at nine," said Smith.

"He gives us that assurance and it was great to have him back kicking over a few points."

Sale ran in six tries to complete a 40-30 victory and deny a Lucs a losing bonus point.

Joseph Kelly touched down first after a powerful rolling maul before Luctonians responded through a Silver penalty and a try from Will Burton.

Silver converted the try, but Sale hit back through a John O'Donnll try.

William Davies then capitalised on a five-metre scrum to add Sale's third try.

Liam McGovern converted all three tries, but Luctonians, who saw two more Silver penalties go over, took control.

An interception by Burton, following a long pass set up Smith to crash over, which Silver converted.

But Sale stormed back to add three more tries from Jack Moorhouse, Sam Stelmaszek and another from O'Donnell.

McGovern converted two of them to put Sale 40-23 ahead before Silver converted John Morris' late try for Luctonians.