Leicester's second-half onslaught against Northampton at Welford Road brought them three tries and a place in the semi-finals of the Powergen Cup.

Leicester went into the match needing to score four tries and win by seven points or more to qualify and their chances were fading when they trailed 11-0 after 37 minutes.

They handed themselves a lifeline when Leon Lloyd crossed in the closing moments of the half.

Ben Kay, Shane Jennings and Lloyd crossed after the break to complete a thrilling come from behind victory that was secured after they repelled a late spell of pressure from the visitors.

Northampton went into the game aiming to end a run of five defeats and unravelled after the break as Leicester piled on the pressure.

Northampton opened up an 11-0 lead after seven minutes after Mark Robinson collected his own grubber kick to touch-down in the right-hand corner and Saints skipper Bruce Reihana added a pair of penalties.

Leicester got back into the match just before the break when a breathtaking move switched the ball from left to right and ended with Geordan Murphy supplying the pass for Lloyd to dive over in the corner.

Andy Goode's conversion reduced the gap to 11-7 at the break and Leicester were in front five minutes into the second-half when Kay forced his way over from close-range.

Northampton hit back three minutes later with John Rudd collecting Carlos Spencer's kick to squeeze over in the corner.

Leicester were back in the game six minutes later when Kay charged down Spencer's Jennings won the race for the loose ball to score his side's third try and make it 19-16.

Lloyd then crossed from close-range after 69 minutes for the crucial fourth try.

Goode kicked the conversion and the penalty with two minutes left to put Leicester further clear.

Northampton knew a converted score in the dying moments would have reduced the gap to six points and secure the bonus point they needed to go through.

But they could not find a way through Leicester's defence in a nerve-jangling climax.