Saracens came through a tight affair against London Irish at Vicarage Road to strengthen their grip on second place in the Aviva Premiership.

Visiting Irish scored the only try of the game late on but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

The sides traded early penalties before Owen Farrell kicked a further two, giving the home side a six-point half-time lead.

Fly half Farrell sent the ball between the posts on two further occasions to put the game out of reach before David Paice's try five minutes from time.

Mark McCall's side keep up the pressure on runaway leaders Harlequins, who travel to London Wasps later this afternoon.