Exeter heap more misery on Saints
Tries from lock Tom Hayes and centre Sireli Naqelevuki early in the second half turned the game in Exeter Chiefs' favour as they secured a resounding 30-9 victory to consign Northampton to a sixth straight Aviva Premiership defeat.
The visitors dominated the first half and led 9-3 at the interval courtesy of three penalties from Stephen Myler.
But the Chiefs scored 27 unanswered second-half points - with Hayes, Naqelevuki and Tom Johnson crossing and Gareth Steenson taking his tally to 15 points with the boot - in an amazing comeback against the Heineken Cup quarter-finalists.
Despite the Chiefs recording their eighth victory in their first season in the Premiership, they remain in ninth place in the table after London Wasps beat Sale at Adams Park.
Leeds revived their hopes of survival after a rousing fightback saw them secure a 27-19 victory at Headingley to dent London Irish's play-off chances.
Irish had led 16-3 after 32 minutes courtesy of a lovely try from centre Seilala Mapusua, a penalty from Chris Malone and eight further points from Ryan Lamb. But Leeds, for whom Hendre Fourie was simply magnificent, responded with tries from Luther Burrell, Daniel Browne and Mike MacDonald to turn the game on its head.
The win moves Neil Back's basement boys to within seven points of fellow strugglers Newcastle, who had claimed what may yet turn out be a vital win here last weekend. This was only their second league win of the season and the first since parting company with rugby director Andy Key.
Dave Walder's boot enabled Wasps to boost their play-off hopes despite an unconvincing 33-26 win over Sale at Adams Park.
Fly-half Walker kicked 23 of their points landing six penalties, a conversion and a dropped goal. Riki Flutey and Joe Simpson scored the home side's two tries in the second half.
Sale trailed 15-0 at half-time but they were far better in the second half, with Ben Cohen and Wame Lewaravu and Charlie Hodgson scoring 16 points with the boot but they were unable to complete a comeback victory.
