Ludovic Mercier consolidated Gloucester's position as comfortable Zurich Premiership leaders after producing a virtuoso performance at Vicarage Road.

The French fly-half, widely criticised for his performance during Gloucester's Heineken Cup calamity against Munster two weeks ago, responded brilliantly.

His 24-point haul featured a try, a drop goal, four penalties and two conversions, making the difference as mid-table Saracens suffered only a second home league defeat of the season.

Mercier's match-winning effort also included him passing 500 Premiership points for Gloucester in just 36 games since joining them from French club Aurillac.

Gloucester were made to sweat though, with Saracens running them desperately close through Fijian fly-half Nicky Little's five penalties and conversion of England flanker Richard Hill's early try.

But Gloucester had just enough in the tank, recording their first-ever league away success against Saracens and preserving a sizeable advantage over closest rivals Sale and Leeds.

A minute's silence was held before kick-off in memory of former Saracens chief executive Peter Deakin, who died yesterday following an 18-month illness battle.

Deakin, the driving force behind Saracens' hugely-successful commercial operation following their move to Watford, also worked in similar capacities with Sale Sharks and rugby league clubs Bradford Bulls and Warrington Wolves.

"Peter was the force that changed this club. He gave us a philosophy and a true sense of direction - he had an ambition and a vision for the game," Saracens owner Nigel Wray told spectators in an emotional pre-match address.

"He was a man with unlimited optimism. I have lost a friend - we have all lost a good man."

The game began in blistering fashion - Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel and his opposite number Darragh O'Mahony both launching 70-metre solo raids - but it was O'Mahony's run that proved the telling one.

Gloucester conceded a five-metre scrum as they tried to clear the danger, and Hill pounced for a simple try which Little converted, putting Saracens 7-0 up after just four minutes.

Mercier reduced the arrears through a seventh-minute penalty, but a 45-metre Little strike made it 10-3 after Saracens skipper Kyran Bracken was high-tackled. The 41 times-capped England international required treatment for a bloodied nose before going off.

Gloucester rejected a number of kickable penalties in preference for attacking scrums, yet captain Jake Boer's bold approach backfired as Saracens successfully cleared the danger and Little landed another long-range penalty.

Saracens, dumped out of the Powergen Cup 51-20 by Gloucester last weekend, were a totally different proposition on their own pitch.

The Cherry and Whites were harried and hassled, especially in contact situations, but just when they needed a lucky break, it duly arrived.

Centre Robert Todd's optimistic kick rebounded kindly off a Saracens defender, and scrum-half Andy Gomarsall reacted quickest, gathering possession to send an unmarked Terry Fanolua scampering over for a try which Mercier converted.

And two minutes before the break, Saracens gifted Gloucester a try when centre Kevin Sorrell's pass was intercepted 45 metres out by Mercier, who sprinted away unopposed.

The Frenchman's conversion ensured that Gloucester enjoyed a somewhat fortuitous 17-16 interval lead after Little completed his penalty hat-trick with the final kick of an eventful half.

Bracken, who had been off since the 11th minute, did not return for the second period as centre Tim Horan took over captaincy duties.

Saracens required just four minutes of the second half to get their noses back in front. Three more points from Little's reliable boot made it 19-17, yet Mercier quickly responded, bisecting the posts after home number eight Kris Chesney threw a punch.

Mercier had the Midas touch, landing a 56th-minute drop goal to give Gloucester some suggestion of breathing space, but another Little penalty - his fifth - ensured the nip-and-tuck nature of an exciting contest would continue.

Referee Ashley Rowden sin-binned Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell and Saracens' blindside Ryan Peacey for fighting 12 minutes from time, with Mercier predictably having the final say when he slotted his fifth and sixth successful kicks.