Northampton boss Jim Mallinder was relieved after the Saints ended their losing streak away from home at Worcester.
Saints score first away victory in 13 attempts
Northampton boss Jim Mallinder has spoken of his relief after the Saints scored their first Guinness Premiership away win for more than two years at Worcester.
Their 22-12 Guinness Premiership victory was their first in 13 road trips and also moved them above Wasps and into eighth place in the table.
The Warriors, meanwhile, remain 12 points clear of bottom club Bristol, in 11th spot.
Mallinder said: "It is a relief - a monkey off our back.
"We've played well in a number of games away from home this season, and our defence was very good. We cancelled Worcester's threat out wide."
The win was secured through tries from Scott Gray, Paul Diggin and Joe Ansbro, although England internationals Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley were central to their performance.
It was also achieved despite Warriors loan signing Willie Walker booting three second-half penalties that hauled his side back into contention at 15-12.
Foden effortlessly threatened the Worcester ranks from full-back and Mallinder added: "He looked a threat.
"I think both Ben and Dylan are fantastic rugby players. Ben has a good all-round full-back's game - he hits the line with such power and pace."
The Saints last won away before they were relegated to National League One in 2007, while the result also comes one weekend after they surrendered a long unbeaten home record to Newcastle.
Poor finishing
Walker finished with four penalties, but Warriors rugby director Mike Ruddock was left reflecting on his team's poor finishing.
"I thought Northampton took their chances - they had four, and took three," he said.
"The rest of the game, we dominated possession and tried to create, but we didn't cut their defence.
"We had six or seven good chances to score, but Northampton defended really well.
"When we got back to 15-12, and Northampton went down to 14 men when Scott Gray was sin-binned, we should have showed a ruthless streak and put them away.
"We did all the hard work, but we didn't go for the jugular. I would be more worried though, if we weren't creating opportunities."
