A dismal run of nine consecutive defeats has left them anchored to the foot of the league table but their European campaign continues to gain momentum following today’s nailbiting triumph over Toulouse.

The result preserves their 100% record in this season’s competition and sees them replace the two-time tournament winners and last season’s beaten finalists at the top of Pool Three.

Victory was sealed in dramatic circumstances with substitute Shane Drahm – who replaced Paul Grayson in the 70th minute – slotting a drop-goal barely 60 seconds after entering the fray.

Up until that point the match had been balanced on a knife edge with neither side able to claim any clear advantage throughout, although at times Toulouse’s sublime attacking skills showed they were operating on a different level to Saints.

But Northampton – playing their first game under new club skipper Steve Thompson – battled their hearts out until the final whistle, producing a stirring performance which was richly appreciated by home fans.

Grayson’s boot kept the scoreboard ticking along until his exit – he kicked five penalties from five attempts – while former All Black scrum-half and man of the match Mark Robinson added a 38th minute try.

Toulouse’s Frederic Michalak – playing at scrum-half – kept them in touch with an 11-point haul and tries from Florian Fritz and Yannick Jauzion put them in the driving seat for a lengthy spell.

Fritz’s touch down on the stroke of half-time arrived while the visitors were down to 14 men with Omar Hasan in the sin bin for handling on the floor and they were dangerous every time they touched the ball

That was clear from an early counter-attack which was initiated when Grayson lofted a poor kick into the arms of Benoit Baby who ran into space down the left until Northampton’s cover arrived to avert the threat.

Saints recovered and won a line-out 15 yards from the French club’s line but Thompson failed to find his jumper with a loose throw, although they won the ball back with some robust work on lock David Gerard.

Referee Alan Lewis penalised the visitors at the ensuing breakdown and Grayson landed a simple three points, but the lead did not last long as Toulouse responded in kind through Michalak shortly after.

Michalak and Grayson exchanged penalties to put the sides all square at 6-6 on the 20 minute mark but Guy Noves’ men were shading play in what was proving to be a frustrating first half thanks to Lewis’ whistle-happy tendencies.

Northampton slipped behind once again with the boot of Michalak doing the damage but they responded by lighting up Franklin’s Gardens with the best move of the first half hour.

Right wing John Rudd did the initial damage with a powerful run which swept him within five yards of the whitewash and the ball was then swiftly shipped out right where Saints had a clear overlap.

England winger Ben Cohen – playing at outside centre – drew last man Nicolas Jeanjean but his pass to Thompson was woeful and the hooker could only hoof the ball ahead with the line beckoning.

Saints were invigorated by the move and won two penalties in quick succession which Grayson stroked over and then added a deserved try through Mark Robinson who ghosted in at the right corner following a scrum.

Toulouse replied with a magical try on the stroke of half-time which showed exactly why they are so highly rated as an attacking force.

They broke from the halfway line with Gareth Thomas prominent following a loose clearance by Northampton and fed the ball through several pairs of hands until it reached Fritz who crossed in the left corner.

Toulouse dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half only to be let down by poor handling as they threatened to add a second try, but a 40-yard break from Cohen saw Saints steal the initiative.

Grayson landed a penalty and Northampton poured forward in search of another try but it was Toulouse who crossed the whitewash next.

They were held up over the line following a forward drive and number eight Isitola Maka broke away at the resulting five-metre scrum before the ball was recycled and fed to Jauzion who crashed over.

Michalak converted but Saints heads did not drop as they worked their way into a position for Drahm to pounce for his winning drop-goal, clinching a memorable victory which was noisily celebrated by the crowd.