London Irish have clambered off the bottom of the Zurich Premiership with a surprise victory over defending champions Leicester.

The Exiles once again relied heavily on the boot of Barry Everitt, who added 22 points to take his career tally at the club to 1,018 points from 69 appearances.

And Everitt wrapped up the win in some style with a try in the final minutes of the contest.

Appropriately it was Irish's fly-half who got the scoring under way in rain-soaked conditions at the Madejski Stadium.

The weather led to some torrid opening encounters and a host of errors as both sides relied heavily on kicking their way out of danger.

The match was triggered into life at the close of the first half, when Leicester took the lead with the half's only try.

From a lineout deep in their opponents' territory, Sam Vesty spun the ball out for Ollie Smith who stormed over the line. Steve Booth converted.

But, after the break the Tigers struggled to keep in the chase with a string of psychologically important penalties from Everitt.

They gave the home side the required confidence boost as Everitt went over deep in injury time for his team's first try after latching on to an intelligent chip and chase by Darren Edwards.

There was still enough time for Michael Horak to clinch Irish's second try and move them one point clear of Newcastle at the bottom of the Premiership.

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Rossouw, Everitt, Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Kennedy, Gustard, Danaher, Sheasby.
Replacements: Barrett, Mapletoft, Cockle, Flavin, Delaney, Hatley, Halford.

Leicester: Lloyd, Booth, Smith, Kafer, Tuilagi, Vesty, Ellis, Freshwater, West, Garforth, Deacon, Corry, Short, Kronfeld, Balding.
Replacements: Tournaire, Wheeler., Chuter, Raynor, Tierney, Gelderbloom, Gerry.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)