Gloucester improved their chances of a top-three finish in the Zurich Premiership with a decisive victory at Vicarage Road, but injury-hit Saracens could take heart from a spirited display.

Missing former internationals Taine Randell, Raphael Ibanez and Thomas Castaignede - among a clutch of others - the Watford-based club could have been forgiven for approaching the match with some trepidation.

But they gave a good account of themselves, showing plenty of guts and producing some fine rugby, especially in the second half which they dominated for long spells.

Had Nicky Little not missed three of his four shots at goal then the outcome might have been a different story, but the Fijian fly-half had clearly left his kicking boots at home and was guilty of two glaring misses.

In contrast, Henry Paul was in sparkling form with the boot after collecting 11 points from his four attempts and it was his accuracy which ultimately proved the difference as the try count finished one apiece.

Winger Marcel Garvey, who this week agreed a new three-year contract with Gloucester, crossed just after 20 minutes but Saracens replied with an outstanding touch down from Canadian Morgan Williams.

The visitors had England internationals Phil Vickery, Trevor Woodman and James Simpson-Daniel back from Six Nations duty and their presence helped Nigel Melville's men off to a strong start.

But Saracens proved their own worst enemy in the fifth minute when Kris Chesney was dispatched to the sin bin for pulling back winger Garvey in a chase for the ball after Andy Gomarsall's chip had rolled over the line.

The ensuing penalty was booted into touch as Gloucester looked to make their numerical advantage tell at the line-out but despite piling on the pressure, they came away with nothing as the home defence held firm.

Fly-half Duncan McRae fluffed a drop-goal attempt but Paul was on target with a penalty moments later to nudge Gloucester into the lead which they then extended through a sparkling try from Garvey.

The visitors had been probing away at Saracens' defence for some time and finally created an opening in the 24th minute when full-back Riaan van der Bergh burst onto Terry Fanolua's pass before feeding Garvey who dashed in at the right corner.

Paul added the conversion and then booted another three points as Gloucester tightened the screw, using their pack to good effect down the middle of the pitch and showing some neat touches behind the scrum.

But it was Saracens who scored next thanks to a piece of magic from centre Kevin Sorrell who broke from well inside his half, beating two tacklers, before being hauled down inches short of the line.

Williams was in support, however, and he scooped up the ball and dived over.

Amazingly, Little made a mess of the simple conversion - his second poor miss of the afternoon.

McRae threatened in the 53rd minute when his injection of pace swept him through the heart of Saracens' three-quarter line but he was flattened by a thumping hit from full-back Robbie Kydd.

Little missed another shot at goal - this time from long range - to deny his side any reward for a promising 10-minute spell which saw them attack back-pedalling Gloucester with some success.

With three minutes to go, Gloucester number eight Paramore was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch and Little punished the infringement with his first - and only - penalty of the afternoon.

Saracens poured forward in the closing moments in search of the converted try which would steal an unlikely win, but the visitors held firm at a series of five metre scrums and even found time to land another three points through Paul.

Teams:

Saracens: Kydd, Bailey, Johnson, Sorrell, Winnan, Little, Williams, Sparks, Parkes, Visagie, Raiwalui, Yandell, Hill, B. Russell, Chesney.

Replacements: Bergamaschi for Sparks (65), R. Russell for Parkes (50), Broster for Visagie (78), Skirving for Raiwalui (54), Peacey for Chesney (69).

Not Used: Bracken, Kirton.

Tries: Williams.

Pens: Little.

Sin Bin: Chesney (5).

Gloucester: Van der bergh, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Eustace, Brown, Boer, Hazell, Paramore.

Replacements: Roncero for Woodman (40), Dupreez for Fortey (56), Cornwell for Eustace (80), Buxton for Hazell (65).

Not Used: Deacon, Page, Todd.

Tries: Garvey.

Cons: Paul.

Pens: Paul 3.

Sin Bin: Paramore (77).

Att: 6,907

Ref: D Pearson (RFU).