LONDON - English Premiership leaders Northampton needed a Stephen Myler conversion deep into stoppage-time to rescue an enthralling 33-33 draw against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Northampton's English fly half Stephen Myler kicks a penalty during a match in Northampton on January 24, 2015
Fly-half Myler added the extras to number eight Samu Manoa's last-gasp touchdown as Gloucester's hopes of a shock win against the reigning champions were thwarted.
Gloucester tries by wing Charlie Sharples, hooker Richard Hibbard and prop Dan Murphy had Saints on the ropes, while Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw converted all three tries and kicked four penalties.
But Northampton, nine points clear top of the Premiership with five regular-season games left, gained a share of the spoils after trailing by 14 points at half-time.
Full-back James Wilson scored two tries, while Manoa applied the late drama, with Myler contributing 18 points.
Exeter surged into second place after scoring 10 tries in a 74-19 demolition of basement side London Welsh, whose relegation back to the Championship could be sealed on Sunday.
Fly-half Henry Slade notched 21 of Exeter's points with a try, five conversions and two penalties before being replaced just before the hour, while Thomas Waldrom (two), Will Chudley, Tom James, Jack Yeandle, Matt Jess and Ian Whittan also crossed for scores.
There were also two penalty tries in the Chiefs' total with replacement Gareth Steenson, who took over the kicking duties from Slade, slotting over the remainder of the points with four conversions.
Welsh actually took the lead with a fifth-minute try from Nathan Trevett and led 12-6 when Seb Stegmann touched down for a converted try in the 19th minute.
Welsh's fate for next season could now be sealed late on Sunday, when a Newcastle win at home to Leicester would see the Exiles, who have lost all 17 matches this season, relegated with five games remaining.
Harlequins returned to winning ways with a tense 26-20 victory against London Irish at the Stoop.
Conor O'Shea's side had lost their last five matches in all competitions, but tries from Danny Care and Matt Hopper secured the much-needed victory with Nick Evans contributing 16 points from the boot in a faultless kicking display.
London Irish replied with scores from James Short and Tom Fowlie while fly half Shane Geraghty kicked 10 points.