Premiership: Northampton Saints 24-26 Bristol Bears

Piers O'Conor has scored three tries in 15 appearances for Bristol Bears this season

Bristol came from behind to seal a stunning victory against Northampton, who finished the game with 11 men.

Joe Batley and Jordan Crane crossed to give Bristol a strong start, but Taqele Naiyaravoro got Saints back in it.

Ahsee Tuala and George Furbank scored to send Saints ahead, only for Harry Randall to restore Bristol's lead.

Cobus Reinach touched down for Saints before he joined Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood and Alex Waller in the sin-bin as Piers O'Conor's try helped seal the win.

Northampton made eight changes for the visit of Bristol, with centre Piers Francis and wing Naiyaravoro coming in, however they struggled to make their late advantage count during a feisty encounter.

In a frustrating first half for the hosts, Naiyaravoro offered some hope as they went in at the break just seven points down after Bristol built a deserved lead.

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The Bears almost sealed their comeback prior to a remarkable ending, however referee Christophe Ridley ruled out a possible penalty try after the visitors' maul collapsed near the tryline.

Northampton's lack of discipline ultimately proved their undoing as Reinach, Gibson, Wood and Waller were all sent to the bin, with Bristol making their advantage count as Ian Madigan kicked the extras to seal victory for the visitors.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd:

"The game should have been well dead with five minutes to go.

"I would say 95% of rugby players and supporters have no idea what is happening at scrum-time. They are trying to extract a penalty and we are trying to hang on for dear life.

"At the end of the day, the referee made decisions on what pictures he saw (on the big screen) and I think it is odd that the game finishes with 11 players."

Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam:

"We started well with two tries and we probably missed a few points out there.

"We gave away some soft tries, and Naiyaravoro was causing havoc but we gutsed it out and grinded it out.

"They are a good side and have not lost here for eight games but we talked about problem-solving. Nothing in rugby is every going to be easy at this level. We hung in the fight."

Northampton Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Reinach; Van Wyk, Marshall, Hill, Moon, Ribbans, Wood (capt), Ludlam, Eadie.

Replacements: Fish, Waller, Ford-Robinson, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Collins.

Bristol Bears: C Piutau; Morahan, O'Conor, S Piutau (co-capt), Daniels; Sheedy, Uren; Thomas, Thacker, Afoa, Batley, Vui, Luatua, Heenan, Crane (co-capt).

Replacements: Parry, Woolmore, Thiede, Smith, Lam, Randall, Madigan, Protheroe.

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