Northampton Saints 19 Glasgow Warriors 15: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Harry Mallinder enjoyed a magic moment as he scored a final-minute match-winning try on his European debut (pictures: Kirsty Edmonds)

It was close to being a horror story, but in the end it proved to be a fairytale.

Saints were lacking in inspiration before Harry Mallinder popped up to score a try on his European debut and ensure his club would fight on in this season’s Champions Cup.

In the only accurate attacking move of the match from either side, George North superbly palmed down Stephen Myler’s excellent cross-field kick for Mallinder to score.

It was an illuminating few seconds that lit up what had been another largely dull game at Franklin’s Gardens.

Jon Fisher made his first appearance since the win at Glasgow in November

And it surely means Harry will be excused from buying his dad a Father’s Day present this year.

The try warmed the hearts of the Saints supporters who had braved freezing conditions to venture to the Gardens for an unusual Sunday evening encounter.

For 75 minutes, it looked like the efforts of those fans who had cleared snow from the pitch earlier in the day would see their hard work wasted.

But then a moment of madness from Glasgow - Tim Swinson’s punch on Mike Haywood resulted in a yellow card - and a moment of magic from Saints ensured the valiant volunteers could claim a part in a vital victory.

Stephen Myler produced a superb cross-field kick for Mallinder's try

The Warriors had looked set to avenge their November defeat at Scotstoun with a gritty Gardens success.

Finn Russell had landed four penalties - and he should have notched a couple more - before Stuart Hogg stepped up to slot one which gave Glasgow a 15-12 lead.

But Swinson’s silly sin-binning and Saints’ long-awaited attacking masterpiece ensured it would be Jim Mallinder’s men who retained hope of making the quarter-finals.

It is still a tough ask, with a bonus-point win at Scarlets likely to be needed to make the last eight.

Luther Burrell was on hand to help Mallinder celebrate his match-winning score

But at least Saints have a chance.

And they can be so thankful for that after failing to push on from Teimana Harrison’s early try in this game.

Saints were so dominant in the lineout drive that you felt they should have scored more than the two tries from it.

But they were hampered by the officiating, with Romain Poite allowing Glasgow to get underneath the mauls and stop them in their tracks.

The Scottish side were placing roadblocks under the Saints pack and they did well to overcome them for the Harrison and Christian Day scores.

That was the effective part of Saints’ game, along with the defending that saw them register their fourth successive shut-out at the Gardens this season.

In fact, Mallinder’s men have conceded just one try in six matches in all competitions on their own ground this season.

It is a stunning record and one which they should be so proud of, especially considering the repute of the opposition teams.

Saracens, Gloucester, Racing, Exeter and Glasgow have all failed to score a try against Saints at the Gardens, with Scarlets the only team to break them down.

That is a reason to be positive for the home fans, but they will rightly be disappointed about the attacking fare they have witnessed.

Because until Mallinder’s try, they struggled to look threatening with ball in hand, with half-backs Lee Dickson and JJ Hanrahan unable to find the spark that was needed.

The introduction of Myler and Tom Kessell helped turn the tide, and both will be pushing for starts in the must-win match at Scarlets on Saturday.