Northampton climbed to fourth place in the Aviva Premiership as they became the first side to beat Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in the league this season, winning 30-19.
Tries from Ken Pisi, Soane Tonga'uiha and Gerrit-Jan van Velze steered the visitors to victory, with Stephen Myler kicking three conversions and three penalties.
Sireli Naqelevuki scored a second-half try for Exeter, who either side of Christmas narrowly lost at Gloucester and were then denied a home victory over Bath by a late converted penalty try, with Ignacio Mieres adding the extras and Gareth Steenson contributing 12 points.
Relegation candidates London Irish ripped up the form book by stunning title play-off contenders Gloucester 18-12 at Kingsholm.
Irish had already lost three times to their hosts in domestic and European competitions this season, but two first-half tries from lock George Skivington helped the Exiles exact revenge.
Centre Steven Shingler added a penalty and conversion, while England international Freddie Burns booted four Gloucester penalties, yet Irish deserved a first Premiership away victory this season at the seventh attempt, which was sealed by full-back Tom Homer's late penalty.
It took them five points above bottom club Sale Sharks, who tackle Saracens on Sunday, and sent them into a five-week league break with renewed optimism of avoiding the drop.
In contrast, a losing bonus point was scant consolation for Gloucester after a four-month unbeaten home record disappeared.
