Northampton Saints have regained top spot in the Aviva Premiership courtesy of a 31-24 victory against Saracens this afternoon.

It took just two minutes for the visitors to take the lead, with James Wilson crossing over in the left-hand corner, and Stephen Myler was on hand to add the extras.

Charlie Hodgson kicked over a penalty shortly after to reduce the arrears at Allianz Park, although Saracens were then penalised for not rolling away, which allowed Myler to find the sticks once more to add three points of his own.

Wilson raced onto Lee Dickson's kick on 14 minutes before crossing the whitewash for his second try of the afternoon, which Myler duly converted.

Sarries lost the ball at the back of their own scrum as the half progressed, allowing opposition captain Phil Dowson to add try number three of the half, and Myler found the sticks from another pen to cement Northampton's lead prior to the interval.

There was some hope for the home side before the referee blew for half time, though, with Jackson Wray crossing over following a strong rolling maul.

Hodgson's penalty, combined with Alex Waller's yellow card, further strengthened this belief, and when Chris Wyles found the line it saw Northampton's lead cut to 12 points.

Wyles was at it again moments later, racing over in the corner to leave the Jimmies looking over their shoulders, but Myler's pen on 75 minutes made sure of the win.

There was still time for Saracens to secure a losing bonus point thanks to the boot of Hodgson.