Northampton Saints 28 Newcastle Red Bulls 27: Tom Vickers' review and ratings

The secret to being a top side is that you are able to treat those two impostors just same, coming away with the same outcomes from both.

Saints were at their blistering best in matches against the likes of Sale Sharks, Bath and Harlequins over the Christmas and New Year period, scoring 154 points across those three matches, while conceding just 21 on each occasion.

But you know what, they didn't get any more league points from those encounters than they garnered when gathering a 28-27 success in a below-par performance against Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon.

The truth is, that it doesn't really matter how you win, as long as you do.

And for Saints, who were missing a laundry list of international stars due to injury and much-needed mental and physical rest, they were able to weather the storm in the Northampton sun.

It ensured that they moved back above Bath, who blitzed 62-15 Saracens on Friday night.

And you know what, as much as Bath were rightly hailed for their statement home showing, they only picked up as many points as Saints did for their performance against Newcastle. It’s a funny old game.

So while there is a lot to work on ahead of a huge battle with a wounded Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, Saints can do that hard graft with sun on their backs and smiles on their faces.

Newcastle, to their credit, looked far from a team who had won just once in the league all season.

They produced a similarly spirited showing to the one they delivered when again pushing Saints all the way at Kingston Park earlier in the season.

Had an alien come down to earth and watched both of those two matches, they may have even said the Red Bulls were the ones occupying the lofty league position.

But the fact is that on both occasions, Saints secured victory, and that is no fluke.

They won the key moments, refusing to concede when under huge pressure at 14-12 up during the end of the first half, with Red Bulls giving a masterclass in how to hold onto the ball when you have men in the sin bin.

However, Newcastle were left to rue their failure to capitalise on dominance time and again as Saints held firm and ensured they would not repeat the soft concession of tries that had seen them go 12-7 down early on.

The black, green and gold buckled up and rode it out, refusing to let their lead slip, no matter how loudly Newcastle knocked on the Gardens door.

But Saints were never really able to get any sustained momentum in a match that saw them struggle to click, while they were guilty of not valuing the ball enough at times, with ill advised kicks and forced passes giving Newcastle a foothold in the game.

The Red Bulls were never really able to put Saints to the sword though, and if you let the black, green and gold off the hook, they are able to bite you.

It went right to the wire as Newcastle scored with seconds left on the clock, but Saints penned them in and picked up the ball before booting it out to bring huge relief to the home fans.

The supporters, players and coaches will know that more assured performances will be needed in the weeks and months to come.

But with international stars primed to return and key players hopefully coming back from injury, Saints will be confident that what happened on Saturday won't become the norm.

Even if it does, though, their ability to win tight games can only stand them in good stead for end-of-season battles that, like this one, will be far from straightforward.

How they rated…

GEORGE FURBANK - what a warrior this guy is. He seemed to be playing with only one working eye after taking a huge hit on his way to the line during the first half. With blood pouring from his face, he pushed his side on with physicality and skill... 8

JAMES PATER - had previously played at fly-half and full-back for Saints, excelling in both roles, but this was a tougher day on the wing as Harrison Obatoyinbo caused real problems on the left... 6

TOM LITCHFIELD - a big showing from the powerful centre as he played a key role in the opening try and scored what proved to be the crucial one late on... 8

RORY HUTCHINSON - some touches of pure class from the centre, who knitted what attacking play there was together for Saints, showing his awareness in tight spaces... 7.5

JAMES RAMM - had to spend some time in the sin bin after being penalised for offside and a couple of times things he tried didn't quite come off, including one pass close to the Newcastle line... 6

ANTHONY BELLEAU - will have been disappointed to have seen Ollie Leatherbarrow get past him for Newcastle's opening try, but he made one lovely line-break and also set up a try for Litchfield late on as well as crucially notching all four conversions... 7

ARCHIE MCPARLAND - a lovely long pass for Ollie Sleightholme's try and there were other good moments, but the occasional kick didn't quite come off and it was tough to inject tempo at times... 7

MANNY IYOGUN - a really strong showing from the prop as he made some big carries and even popped up with a crucial breakdown penalty on his own line under real pressure... 7.5

ROBBIE SMITH - was only able to complete just less than 20 minutes as he had to come off for a head injury assessment

LUKE GREEN - did what he had to do for his team, looking largely solid and putting in a good shift... 6.5

ED PROWSE - didn't really have much of a chance to make an impact as he was forced off after just 12 minutes after having a head injury assessment

CHUNYA MUNGA - a steady enough showing from the lock as he largely looked composed in the heat of battle... 6.5

TOM LOCKETT - pinched a Newcastle lineout at a key time and in a key area of the field and he looks at home in the six shirt... 7

TOM PEARSON - another all-action showing from the flanker, who almost had an assist with a fine pass for Furbank, who was stopped just short of the line... 7.5

CALLUM CHICK - powered forward time and again against his old team, looking to bring the front-foot approach that Saints really needed... 7.5

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

AIDEN AINSWORTH-CAVE (for Prowse 12) - a really good Gallagher PREM debut for the England Under-20s forward as he got around the field really well and made some key tackles and carries... 7

CURTIS LANGDON (for Smith 20) - CHRON STAR MAN - Saints have coped really well without him thanks to the likes of Robbie Smith, Craig Wright and Henry Walker, but how good is it for them to have him back? He showed his England class with a hugely energetic showing that included an incredibly determined finish for a try on his first Gardens appearance of the season... 8

TOM WEST (for Iyogun 56) - helped to keep Saints steady in the scrum and helped the hosts get over the line... 6

CLEOPAS KUNDIONA (for Green 56) - looked hungry for action as he thundered around the field looking for work... 6