Northampton crashed out of the EDF Energy Cup as their fierce midlands rivals Leicester booked a place in this season's Millennium Stadium semi-finals.

Leicester's Pool D victory over Worcester earlier today - their second successive bonus point triumph - meant Saints or the Dragons had to record a maximum to prevent Tigers from progressing with one round of pool fixtures still remaining.

Neither side could come up trumps, but the Dragons gained considerable satisfaction from an impressive showing as they cruised home through tries by wing Gareth Wyatt and substitute Richard Fussell.

Fly-half Ceri Sweeney kicked 13 points and centre Nathan Brew dropped a late goal, with Northampton mustering a Mark Robinson try and Robbie Kydd conversion as consolation from a fruitless trip across the Severn Bridge.

Northampton offered little to enthuse their small band of travelling fans, while fly-half superstar Carlos Spencer had a game to forget.

Spencer was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle after eight minutes, and then left the action just before half-time due to a groin injury.

In contrast, Spencer's opposite number Sweeney provided a calming tactical influence for the Dragons, who held too many aces in their pack as Colin Charvis and Ian Gough delivered efficient displays amid the heat of battle.

Northampton made nine changes - six up front - from the side humbled at home by Guinness Premiership strugglers Worcester last weekend.

The most notable was Spencer's return from a groin strain, but Saints were reinforced in the forwards by Tom Smith, Pat Barnard and Darren Fox, while Robinson partnered his fellow New Zealander Spencer at half-back.

The Dragons recalled Wales international scrum-half Gareth Cooper for his first start since January - the 2005 Lions tourist underwent shoulder surgery - but Grand Slam skipper Michael Owen had to be content with a replacement role.

Spencer let his side down early on though, failing to retreat 10 metres after the Dragons were awarded a penalty and then spear-tackling Cooper in the same move.

Referee Nigel Owens brandished a yellow card after being consulted by his touch judge, and Sweeney kicked the resulting penalty as 14-man Saints found themselves three points adrift.

With Spencer still absent, the Dragons struck by working an excellent try from first-phase possession as Sweeney delivered a defence-splitting pass to Wyatt, who crossed unopposed.

Sweeney slotted the conversion for a 10-0 lead, and then added a penalty, despite Northampton monopolising possession during most of the opening period.

Saints' woes though, were confirmed when they failed to break through a well-organised Dragons defence from close range as the home side kept them out through some relentless tackling.

Northampton struck before half-time when Robinson scampered over for a try converted by Kydd, but Spencer then limped off with a recurrence of groin trouble, to be replaced by Ian Vass.

Sweeney still had enough time to complete his penalty hat-trick, leaving Northampton with it all to do, trailing 16-7 and hovering closer towards Anglo-Welsh elimination.

The Dragons lost an injured Wyatt shortly after the restart, yet his replacement Fussell required barely four minutes to make a mark, rounding off a concerted spell of pressure and claiming his team's third touchdown, again converted by Sweeney.

Northampton knew the game was up, and three substitutions during a five minute spell effectively confirmed their state of resignation as Johnny Howard, Chris Budgen and David Gerrard all tried to provide badly needed impetus.

Saints chairman Keith Barwell reportedly read the riot act to the players and coaching staff following the 24-12 loss to Worcester, but he would have gained little comfort from another disappointing display.

And life is not about to get any easier for Northampton head coach Paul Grayson, whose team return to Premiership action next Saturday with a home derby clash against Leicester.