Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Northampton 38-29 Saracens

Northampton 38-29 Saracens, cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens

Northampton Saints have kept their hope of play-off alive as they defeated Saracens 38-29 in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

Saracens were already assured of a home semi-final and they continue to remain at top despite the defeat while the Saints now have climbed to the fourth place with a two point lead over fifth positioned London Irish.

Saracens made a brisk start to the game as Rotimi Segun touched down after collecting a crossfield kick from Alex Lewington and Manu Vunipola kicked the conversion to make it 0-7. The visitors were down to 14 players by the seventh minute as Duncan Taylor was red carded for a high hit on Fin Smith.

The Saints thought they capitalised immediately as Sam Matavesi pushed forward but a knock on kept the Saints scoreless. Meanwhile, Vunipola kicked a penalty goal in the 15th minute to extend Saracens' lead to 0-10.

The end of the opening quarter saw Alex Moon crossed over after collecting a pass from Mitchell. Smith missed out on the conversion but ensured he added the extras on tries from Lewis Ludlam and Tommy Freeman as they completed the opening half with a 19-10 lead.

The Saints dominated the opening exchanges in the second half as Rory Hutchinson scored under the posts and Smith followed the suit after a sustained pressure from the Saints making it 31-10. Saracens brought down the deficit as Josh Hallett and Vunipola combined to send the latter over the line to make it 31-17.

Nevertheless, the indiscipline continued to haunt the visitors as Segun was sin-binned in the 58th minute for tackling Furbank in the air. With Fraser Dingwall and Theodor Dan exchanging tries as the scoreline became 38-24 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Segun returned from the sin bin to score his second in the closing stage as Mark McCall's men settled for a losing bonus point.

Team line up:

Northampton: Furbank; Ramm, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Matavesi, Davison, Ribbans, Moon, Lawes, Ludlam, Augustus.

Reserves: Cruse, Waller, Hill, Coles, Salakaia-Loto, Graham, James, Collins.

Saracens: Goode; Segun, Taylor, Hartley, Lewington; Vunipola, de Haas; Mawi, Woolstencroft, Judge, Hunter-Hill, Tizard, Isiekwe, Knight, Wray.

Reserves: Dan, Hislop, Riccioni, Michelow, Earl, van Zyl, Hallett, Harris.