Leicester have never lost four league games in a row - but they went close to doing just that before inching victory over Saracens at Welford Road on Saturday.

Saracens dominated the first half, with all their points coming from Adryan Winnan who touched down for an early try and booted two penalties.

But their interval lead read only 11-8 as an out-of-sorts Leicester managed to keep themselves in touch thanks to a Josh Kronfeld try and a three-pointer from Geordan Murphy.

The Tigers came alive after the break as Saracens were forced on to the back foot, with Ollie Smith and Leon Lloyd crossing to secure a vital result for Dean Richards' men who are still in the hunt for a top-three finish.

Winnan had the opportunity to boot his side into an early lead - but despite taking an age to line up the penalty he pushed his kick wide.

Sam Vesty attempted a drop-goal for Leicester moments later but was also off target - and after a brief spell where the Tigers had a monopoly on possession the visitors touched down for the first try of the afternoon.

Some neat interplay in the backs saw Brett Sparg come up with the ball and with the Leicester defence closing down his options he put in a pinpoint chip to the corner which the onrushing Winnan grounded.

The Tigers were soon back on level terms, however, after some good work at the line-out by Louis Deacon who cleanly caught George Chuter's throw-in before his fellow forwards arrived to begin a surge for the line.

Leicester are difficult to stop when their pack have the bit between their teeth, and so it proved with former New Zealand flanker Kronfeld being driven over.

Saracens have been known for their brittle confidence in recent years. But the arrival of All Black great Wayne Shelford, who took over the coaching reins near the end of last season, has added steel to the side.

Their newly-found self-belief was evident in the aftermath of Kronfeld's score as the visitors surged into their opponents' half, putting Leicester under enormous pressure.

Their efforts were rewarded with two quickfire penalties from Winnan, who had found his kicking boots after his two missed opportunities earlier.

Full-back Murphy replied with a penalty of his own, and Leicester then went in search of a late try to finish the half - but they were held up over the line.

Leicester came out after the break fired-up but they could make little impression on the Saracens defence, who eventually conceded a penalty which Murphy failed to convert.

Gradually the Tigers started to gain the ascendancy as Saracens were forced to fight a desperate rearguard action which yielded another penalty - and this time Murphy made no mistake.

Smith then touched down in the corner after some good work from Murphy, and Lloyd put the game out of Saracens' reach when he battled through two tacklers to cross out wide.

Tim Horan managed a late converted try following a poor clearance kick from Vesty, but the visitors had left themselves too much to do.

Teams:

Leicester: Murphy, Holtby, Smith, Kafer, Lloyd, Vesty, J. Hamilton, Jelley, Chuter, Tournaire, M. Johnson, Deacon, Corry, Kronfeld, Balding.

Not Used: West, Back, Garforth, Kay, Tierney, Booth, McMullen.

Tries: Kronfeld, Smith, Lloyd.

Cons: Murphy.

Pens: Murphy 2.

Saracens: Winnan, Sparg, Shanklin, Sorrell, O'Mahony, Horan, Bracken, Califano, Ross, Marsters, Hooper, Yandell, Benazzi, Hill, Chesney.

Not Used: Storey, Cairns, Parkes, Peacey, Kirton, Goode, Haughton.

Tries: Winnan, Horan.

Cons: Goode.

Pens: Winnan 2.

Att: 16,845

Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).