Sale won 35-14 at winless Newcastle, responding with three tries after the home team drew level at 14-14 in the 53rd minute.
It was Sale's first victory at Newcastle in eight years.
"We got one, just when we needed it as we need all the points we can get," Sale's director of rugby Alex Sanderson told the BBC.
Exeter were always in control as they won 38-17 at Gloucester, who are sure to finish ninth in the 10-team league and have a European Challenge Cup semi-final next weekend. Jacques Vermeulen scored two of the Chiefs' tries.
The top four teams qualify for the play-offs. With two rounds to go, Northampton lead Saracens by four points, despite losing to Harlequins on Saturday.
Bath are third while Bristol hold the fourth play-off spot, ahead of Quins on the tiebreak. Sale are two points further back, with Exeter another two points behind them.
