Northampton captain Phil Dowson scored the only try of the game early in the second half while fly-half Jeremy Staunton kicked the Tigers points with a first-half penalty.

It was the first time in 30 Guinness Premiership fixtures that Tigers had not taken at least a bonus point out of a game. But Richard Cockerill's men remain top of the Guinness Premiership table ahead of Northampton.

Craig Newby captained Tigers for the first-time and was joined in the pack by England internationals Julian White and Ben Kay with Alesana Tuilagi returning to the back line. Northampton made a late change to their starting XV after Jon Clarke failed a fitness test. His place at centre went to Joe Ansbro.

Tigers began the game strongly and earned an attacking lineout in the third minute when a box kick from Ben Youngs was fumbled by Paul Diggin under pressure from Tuilagi. Tigers were then awarded two penalties which they kicked to touch as they opted for the driving lineouts.

But as they tried to make the pressure tell a knock-on gave Saints possession. Diggin then hacked into Tigers territory and when he was obstructed by the retreating defenders Myler kicked his first points of the game.

Tigers then put together a flowing move involving Youngs, Tuqiri and Hamilton but the Tigers full-back was well tackled by Diggin.

An excellent tackle by Ben Woods on Lee Dickson earned Tigers a penalty under the posts as the Saints scrum-half failed to release. Staunton, who was short with his first penalty attempt of the game from halfway, made no mistake with his second to bring Tigers level.

Saints edged themselves back ahead moments later with Myler's second penalty after Tigers failed to roll away from the tackle.

Tigers were then reduced to 14 men for the last nine minutes of the half when Newby was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Myler. The fly-half kicked the resulting penalty from the left to put Saints 9-6 ahead.

With the rain pouring down, Soane Tonga'uiha made a half break in midfield which was followed by Juandre Kruger but the Tigers defence stood firm and won the scrum as Ansbro knocked on.

The conditions were proving difficult and Hamilton's knock-on gave Northampton the put in at a 22 metre scrum from which the hosts won a penalty. Myler landed his fourth kick from four to give Saints a 12-3 lead at half-time.

Saints made a quick start to the second half with their captain Dowson making a break in midfield. The ball was moved right where wing Chris Ashton dived for the corner on the wet ground but was ruled in touch by the officials under pressure from Hamilton and Tuilagi.

But Saints spoiled the Tigers lineout and won a scrum in the process. And it was from the set-piece that No8 Dowson broke off the back and over the Tigers line for the first try of the game. Myler's conversion extended the hosts' lead to 19-3.

Tigers looked to hit back immediately but Staunton was wide with a testing penalty from the left. It then took three Saints defenders to bring down Crane but, as Tigers looked to exploit his drive by working an overlap on the right, they were overturned in the tackle.

Tigers looked to run everything as they searched for a way back into the game. But Northampton held firm and prevented their visitors building up a head of steam.

And it was the hosts who threatened with the last play when Diggin made a break down the left before he knocked on in the tackle 10 metres from the Tigers line.