Northampton grind out the win and an important one at that for a side that was rocked by a Boxing Day loss the previously winless London Irish.

A losing bonus-point from their trip to Franklin's Gardens moves Exeter to within a point of Premiership leaders Saracens.

That is all from us today, but remember there is a plenty more to come over the weekend with four matches on Saturday, headlined by Leicester's trip to Sarries, then Worcester host Harlequins on Sunday.

Fitting passage of play at last at Franklin's Gardens. A poor clearance by Northampton and Exeter are gifted what looked like a final shot of hijacking something from the game.

Impatiently, the ball is shifted wide and out of play.

Northampton get the win, Exeter suffer Premiership defeat for the first time since the opening day of the season.

It is scrappy and bodies are slipping all over the place as Exeter go in search of a breakthrough in the final minute.

That penalty keeps an astonishing statistic alive for Exeter, as they have never failed to score in a Premiership game. 

Their lowest-ever points total in a match in the Premiership was at Franklin's Gardens when they lost 33-3 to Northampton on 9 Oct, 2011. 

As it stands they have a losing bonus-point in sight, but can they press for so much more in the final few minutes here?

Jack Nowell demanding more of the ball for Exeter and the visitors are stringing a series of phases together.

At the end of it, Gareth Steenson lands a penalty. Exeter are on the board.

In a flash it seems, George North takes possession out wide and Exeter are scrambling in defence. 

The penalty goes to the corner, but Exeter survive, Saints losing the ball into touch and from the resulting line-out Gareth Steenson eventually manages to clear.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, there is still signs of life in this game. No matter how drab it has been.

Whatever energy there was in this match at the start of the second half has been ground into submission.

Exeter make another foray into the 22, but George Pisi tramples on the Chiefs' prospects of producing a moment of note. He races out quick and makes a crunching tackle on replacement Will Hooley.

Chance gone. But something to write about nonetheless.

Image source, Getty Images

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

Looking for a boost? Why not change it up?

And the entire front row for Exeter is shuffled with Ben Moon off for Carl Rimmer, Thomas Francis replaced by Moray Low and captain Jack Yeandle makes way from Elvis Taione.

Handling errors have blighted this game. 

Exeter the latest to be frustrated in the greasy conditions. Ben Moon spilling the ball, attack is transformed into a scrum, which it seems inevitably turns into a penalty.

Northampton relieve themselves of pressure without having to do much of note there.

Ian Hunter
Former Northampton Saints and England wing on 5 Live sports extra

A modern-day record attendance at Franklin's Gardens is confirmed with 15,430 coming out for the New Year's Day contest.

The Saints faithful are getting vocal now, not that there has been a lot to cheer in the opening 55 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Don Armand quickest to the ball from one a inventive, quick Thomas Waldrom kick. Crucial gather and Exeter settle with the ball five metres out.

However, with the ball breaking loose it is Saints hooker Mike Haywood who clears with a nicely hacked kick into touch. 

Exeter carve out the first genuine chance of the game for themselves. But not a moment of panic from Northampton.

Pinned on their try line, Christian Day comes up with the ball and composed as you like finds Tom Collins who kicks clear.

First sight of Thomas Waldrom in the second half (and one of very few all game) and the number 8 for Exeter and is caught offside from the breakdown.

Waldrom, the battering ram that helped inspire Exeter to their first ever win at Franklin's Gardens in November 2014 and who has been so influential this season, has been suffocated out of this one so far.

And action resumes as Franklin's Gardens with JJ Hanrahan kicking off.

It hasn't been pretty and far from clinical from Northampton. But they have the lead.

For a side that sits fifth and smarting from their Boxing Day defeat to London Irish, being ahead in-front of a packed crowd at Franklin's Gardens against high-flying Exeter is a positive worth taking.

However, it must be said that Jim Mallinder will demand more from his Saints sides if they are to get the better of the Chiefs this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC Sport

The year's first Premiership action is just getting started, with four of the remaining five matches of this round of fixtures coming on Saturday.

The headline fixture sees leaders Saracens hosts third-placed Leicester at 15:15 GMT.

Sunday's only game sees Harlequins travel to Worcester.

Of course, you can follow all the action right here on the BBC sport website as we bring live text commentaries across the weekend.

Ian Hunter's thoughts are certainly shared by the Chiefs' social media team!