Olivier Azam and Marcel Garvey touched down as Gloucester preserved their 100% start to the Zurich Premiership season by edging out Northampton in a contest which burst into life in the final quarter.

Both sides were unbeaten going into the game and a mighty encounter was eagerly awaited by the 12,093 fans packed into Franklin's Gardens but it was only during the finely-poised last 20 minutes that they were given anything to shout about.

The corresponding fixture last season proved to be a tasty encounter which resulted in four sin-binnings and a sending off but while there was plenty of fire in today's game, it never threatened to spill over into violence.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan had declared in the build-up that his side must match Northampton in the forward exchanges if they were to have any hope of winning - and the visitors' pack answered his call with brutal efficiency.

Saints have steamrollered all before them so far this season - Alan Solomons' men had taken a maximum 10 points from their two opening matches - but they were outmuscled today.

French hooker Azam claimed the first try while Garvey added a second in injury time but Gloucester would have enjoyed a far more comfortable lead had Henry Paul not missed two second half penalties.

Substitute Shane Drahm - who came on early in the first half after Paul Grayson had limped off injured - accounted for all of Northampton's points and his accuracy appeared to have hauled Saints back into the game.

Paul stroked over a penalty to give Gloucester the lead in a brutal opening 10 minutes as both packs battled for control up-front with the home side's forwards proving marginally superior.

But Saints were winning slow ball and this, combined with Gloucester's aggressive defence, was making life very difficult for their backs who failed to make any real headway against their opponents.

Duncan McRae's blocked dropped goal in the 17th minute almost resulted in a try but the ball bounced awkwardly for the Cherry and Whites fly-half after hacking on into space.

Drahm took the opportunity to level the scores with a penalty soon after but the parity did not last long.

Explosive England A winger Garvey made the initial inroads as Gloucester surged upfield before the ball was spun left to Henry whose delayed pass sent prop Terry Sigley bursting into space.

Sigley drew full-back Bruce Reihana - the last line of defence - and fed Azam who cantered home for a try expertly converted by Paul.

McRae succeeded with a drop goal attempt in the 35th minute but the Australian may have taken the wrong option as Northampton's defence had been pulled out of shape and moments later Drahm replied with a penalty.

Saints were awarded a free kick five yards outside their opponents' 22 but this was improved to a penalty after Azam had been caught shoving Reihana to the floor and Drahm slotted the three points.

Northampton skipper Corne Krige touched down in the 54th minute following some fine footballing skills from the impressive Andrew Blowers but referee Steve Lander had spotted a knock-on at the preceding line-out and disallowed the try.

Gloucester's backs were seeing plenty of ball now and on two occasions they punched large holes in Saints' defence only to then be let down by poor handling, while Paul was making a mess of the kicking duties with two missed penalties.

Gloucester appeared to be in control but suffered a major setback in the 65th minute when their rangy number eight James Forrester was dispatched to the sin bin for killing the ball after Reihana and Krige had spearheaded an ominous Saints raid.

Drahm took the three points and then missed his fifth penalty attempt - this one from long range - but there was still hope for Northampton with Reihana repeatedly cutting the visitors to shreds with some searing runs from deep.

However, in their search for the winning score they left themselves exposed as Garvey ran onto a chip ahead from McRae a minute into injury time and slid over the line to seal victory for Gloucester.

Teams:

Northampton: Reihana, Rudd, Tucker, Stcherbina, Cohen, Grayson, Howard, Smith, Thompson, Kempson, Boome, Browne, Blowers, Krige, Seely.

Replacements: Drahm for Grayson (12), Lord for Browne (58), Fox for Blowers (58).

Not Used: Richmond, Budgen, Jones, Human.

Pens: Drahm 4.

Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Gomarsall, Wood, Azam, Sigley, Buxton, Brown, Boer, Hazell, Forrester.

Replacements: Fortey for Azam (53), Balding for Hazell (53).

Not Used: Emms, Eustace, Page, Mauger, Bailey.

Tries: Azam, Garvey.

Cons: Paul. Pens: Paul.

Drop Goals: McRae.

Sin Bin: Forrester (66).

Att: 12,093

Ref: S Lander (England).