Saracens 17-21 Northampton result - PREM leaders score late to re-take lead and down hosts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Northampton Saints scrum-half Archie McParland scored a second try two minutes from time to secure victory for his side against Saracens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Saints looked like they would blow the hosts away early in proceedings as Tom Litchfield and McParland touched down in the first 13 minutes.

However, Tobias Elliott brushed off a couple of would-be tacklers in one of Sarries’ first ventures deep into Saints territory and Theo Dan took it upon himself to leave the maul after a line out and shrug off defenders before scoring.

A penalty from Fergus Burke looked likely to give the hosts victory but a fine move saw Fraser Dingwall set Litchfield free to break into the 22 and he off-loaded to his No. 9 to finish the job.

Saints have extended their lead at the top of the Gallagher PREM to six points, ahead of Bath’s trip to Sale on Sunday, while Saracens lie sixth.

The defeat was Saracens' second straight in the yearly Showdown, following a loss to Harlequins last year, after they won the first four showpiece games.

Tom Pearson was jubilant, but still a little shocked, after Saints stole bragging rights in the Showdown late on after it initially looked like they would ease to victory.

"To and fro the whole time, it felt like we couldn't get into the game at all," Pearson told TNT Sports.

"They put us under pressure, we came out strong, but that was crazy.

"The way we think about it is, we could win the game in the first minute or we could win it in the 80th. We've just got to keep going, keep backing our process. We put a lot of emphasis on our training. We know if we put a good performance out there, the result could come.

"It was class. I've been to Tottenham once before but obviously never played. It was unreal."

Sarries gave it everything, but the Saints have a knack of just sneaking over the line.

The hosts need a try to win now. It looked like they had a penalty just outside the 22 but it was reversed for a high tackle. That could be curtains.

A great short pass from Dingwall puts Litchfield through the line and then he lays off inside to the scrum-half who ran in to score.

Heroic act stopped the South African train landing over the line. Our commentators spot he was offside though.

Did Van der Mescht go over? Sarries are celebrating. The referee is checking.

Saracens were slow to clear out when a penalty was given to the Saints and the TMO will look if the ruckus was too unbecoming.

It was two of the home players diving at the ball together, and seemingly thinking they were against opponents.

You would not have thought this would happen early on in the match.

Thirty metres out, Itoje opts to take the kick with less than eight minutes on the clock.

It would have been a great try. The South African colossus bundled over two would-be tacklers and carried Elliott on his back over the line, but he was turned over at the crucial moment.

A bit of a surprise but it is a much better fly half alternate than the Saints had earlier.

FARRELL MISSES KICK TO CORNER∫

Both sides are taking the opportunity to take in fluids.

And now the Saints can put the ball back into Sarries' territory.

He turns the ball over for Sarries in the ruck and they can attack in the Saints half now.

They have stifled the Saints and now look the more potent attacking force.

The next try could be crucial.

The ball was flicked to him and he took two, three, four bites at the bar of soap but it went loose in the end as he looked to touch down over the line.