Styal looked to carry their cup form into the league, and started brightly, causing Eagle problems.

Steff Laffley took on the Eagle left-back and was brought down just inside the box, leaving the referee no alternative but to award a penalty. Matty Barnes stood up to take the kick, but a fine save from the Eagle keeper made it three misses from three penalties for Styal.

Styal were in control but couldn’t break the Eagle defence, Laffley and Adkin both putting chances over the bar.

The second half continued in the same vain and Eagle were content to defend in numbers.

Filson let fly with a sweetly struck shot that squeezed out of the despairing dive of the Eagle keeper to put Styal ahead.

A fine reaction save from Rick Harrison in the Styal goal denied Eagle a late equaliser and Styal took the points.

After a goal-less first half, Styal’s unbeaten run was dashed as Sale made the most of their chances.