Everitt's kicking helped lead Irish to victory

Another powerful kicking display by Barry Everitt gave London Irish a surprise Zurich Premiership victory at Northampton.

Everitt kicked five penalties and converted Michael Horak's fourth-minute try to give his side only a second win in 12 league attempts at Franklin's Gardens.

Irish deserved the win as Northampton committed too many errors.

Although a try from hooker Steve Thompson brought them back into the game, they missed the influence of injured England stars Matt Dawson and Ben Cohen and former All Black Andrew Blowers.

This won't turn our season round, but it's a great leap forward Irish boss Conor O'Shea

Irish claimed an early breakthrough when player-coach Brendan Venter surged into the blindside gap and rode a tackle to put Horak over under the posts.

Although Saints had recalled Robbie Morris up front, they struggled again on their own ball and conceded a penalty after they were shoved backwards unceremoniously.

Everitt made no mistake and then added another after Northampton's backs were caught offside.

Thompson's 32nd minute try, converted by Paul Grayson, gave Northampton some hope.

But Everitt was punishing almost every Northampton indiscretion.

There are always a couple of crises in a season, and we're going through one at the moment - they beat us up Northampton coach Wayne Smith

He added one more penalty to give Irish a 16-7 lead at the break and then stroked over shots in the 46th and 56th minutes.

Even though Grayson responded with a penalty of his own with an hour gone, Irish were in sight of a famous victory.

They dug in with captain for the day Paul Gustard and second-half replacement Kieron Dawson outstanding in a combative back row.

Northampton had 20 minutes to haul themselves back into the game but too many high and wide passes left them without even a bonus point to show for their efforts.

Northampton: Beal, Reihana, Jorgensen, Leslie, Ripol, Grayson, Vass, Smith, Thompson, Morris, Williams, Phillips, Hunter, Pountney, Soden.
Replacements: Richmond, Budgen, Lord, Fox, Howard, Brooks, Tucker.

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Bishop, Everitt, Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Delaney, Kennedy, Gustard, Dawson, Sheasby.
Replacements: Martens, Mapletoft, Danaher, Kirke, Casey, Hatley, Halford.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)