Northampton Saints began their Aviva Premiership campaign with a narrow victory over Gloucester at Franklin's Gardens.

The game started slowly and in the first 20 minutes the only scores were solitary penalties for each side.

The home side were the first to go over when captain Phil Dowson collected a clever hand-off from Stephen Myler, who converted the try.

Two minutes later Johnny May charged down a Greig Tonks' kick and ran on to score for the Cherry and Whites.

Saints went in ahead at the break after scrum-half Martin Roberts squeezed over under the posts.

Two penalties from Myler gave Northampton a 10-point lead 10 minutes into the second half but a Freddie Burns' penalty gave the visitors hope.

Charlie Sharples then went over for Gloucester to leave them two points behind but Burns missed the opportunity to draw the scores level with 10 minutes remaining.

The substitute fly-half atoned for his error by scoring a 75th minute drop-goal, which looked set to give the visitors the win, before former Gloucester player Ryan Lamb scored a penalty two minutes from time.

Northampton travel to Harlequins for the next Premiership game on Friday while Gloucester host Worcester Warriors on Saturday.