Leeds Carnegie 19 Saracens 12: Leeds off the bottom

The visitors, who were top of the table at New Year but have now lost five of their last six league games, let a 9-3 half-time lead slip on a bright but chilly afternoon at Headingley.

Neil Back's side, meanwhile, will have renewed belief they can survive in their first season back in the top flight.

Although they lost reliable goal-kicker Ceiron Thomas midway through the first half, his replacement - 19-year-old Joe Ford - kicked enough of the chances that came his was to make sure of the triumph.

Leeds wing Lee Blackett helped too by crossing on the hour for the game's only try on a virtually grassless but dry surface.