Saints had their first Premiership away win in the palm of their hands but let it slip with Bristol getting the winning try with 10 minutes left.

While Saints kept their big name on the bench, the introduction of Shaun Perry with 30 minutes to go changed the game Bristol's way.

Carlos Spencer could only watch on as Perry got Bristol moving forward and then fired a big pinpoint pass off a lineout 40m out to Ed Barnes at fly-half.

Barnes, who started the game at centre, cut back through a hole, aided by some blocking from his forwards and replacement Luke Eves was on hand to steam over from 20 metres out. Barnes landed the simple conversion to put Bristol 14-13 in front.

Saints regrouped and with the clock on 80 minutes worked the drop goal opening for Stephen Myler to have a shot from 35m. It drifted just wide on the wind – inches the difference between success and failure in the end and the difference between pulling well clear of the relegation trap door and being pulled back towards it.

A fourth successive defeat on the Premiership road sees Saints now just three points ahead of Bristol at the bottom. And with Bath and Gloucester to come in the next two weeks the relegation battle is well and truly on.

At least Saints got a bonus point for their efforts in what was a real forwards struggle on a wet, grey day in the west country. Spencer may not have got on but only because Myler again impressed at fly-half, kicking and passing well in equal measure.

The first Saints lineout on halfway went badly wrong. David Lemi took Paul Shields' over-throw and Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe was then penalised for going off his feet at a ruck. However, Adrian Jarvis penalty landed short.

Roger Wilson was then caught tackling a Bristolian off the ball and Jarvis kicked into the corner as Bristol went back to their roots. At the second attempt Dan Ward-Smith was driven over from five metres out to give the home side the lead with Jarvis converting.

Saints hit straight back thanks to a poor kick from Vunga Lilo as the full-back missed touch and instead found Lobbe on halfway. James Downey had been cutting back on the angle from the whistle and this time he got through off Myler's pass with support getting Saints within five metres.

Quick ball saw Saints go right and Downey slid home. Myler landed the conversion and Saints were back in front after 25 minutes.

Bristol ignored a very kickable shot at goal to draw level and went for the five-metre lineout drive again. But this time Saints' forwards kept then at bay.

More lack of composure from Lilo gave Saints an attacking lineout that almost saw Ben Foden and Mark Easter burst through from. The attack ended with an easy penalty for Myler to extend Saints' lead to six points.

Bruce Reihana charged for the line but was somehow just bundled in to touch. Bristol had escaped and after one attempt at the winning lineout move failed they got it spot-on a second time.

Saints somehow managed to get up field and work the opening for Myler's boot. But, agonisingly, it went wide and the search for an away win goes on.