Northampton (9) 22 Try: Tucker Con: Drahm Pens: Drahm (5) Harlequins (13) 20 Tries: Harder, Thomas Cons: Thomas (2) Pens: Thomas (2)

Quins had led for much of the match and looked on course for victory after Arwel Thomas' 15 points.

But Shane Drahm, who kicked a total of 17 points, brought Saints to within five of their rivals with only two minutes remaining.

He then became the match-winner when he converted Mark Tucker's try in the final move of the match.

Afterwards Saints coach Budge Pountney said: "Some of our play was rubbish but, at this stage of the season, we'll take the win. We've walked away with four points.

"All week we spoke of how big this match was for the club. The players were aware of that and that's the reason they weren't as relaxed as they might have been. It was a huge result given the position we're in."

Thomas and Drahm swapped penalties in the first 25 minutes, Drahm kicking three while Thomas landed two before being yellow carded.

But Quins had dominated much of that time, which finally resulted in their opening try - courtesy of the rampaging George Harder just before half-time.

Thomas returned from his time on the sidelines to add the conversion.

The former Wales international, who signed for Harlequins on a short-term contract last month, latched onto a loose Mark Stcherbina pass soon after the restart, touching down following a 60-metre sprint.

He converted his own score to give the visitors a healthy lead they looked certain to maintain despite two more Drahm penalties.

But their defence finally buckled under Northampton's late onslaught, and Tucker was the man to force his way through.

His try levelled the scores and Drahm cooly converted for the win.

Quins director of rugby Mark Evans said he was "ferociously disappointed" by the defeat.

He said: "We sat on our lead a bit and some of our execution was poor. The margins of victory are tiny and it wasn't meant to be."

Northampton: Reihana; Rudd, Vilk, Stcherbina, Tucker; Drahm, Howard (Jones 69); Emms, Richmond (Thompson 52), Morris (Smith 40); Lord (Codling 62), Browne; Blowers, Krige (capt), Soden (Fox 47).
Replacements not used: Grayson, Fulton

Harlequins: Williams; Harder, Duffy, Deane, Keogh; Thomas, So'oialo; Worsley (Dawson 44), Fuga (Tiatia 29), Jones; Evans, Miall (Maling 57); Easter (Barratt 78), Vos (capt), Diprose.
Replacements not used: Sherriff, Von Hoesslin, Roey.

Referee: D Rose (RFU)

Attendance: 12,064