Northampton completed back-to-back victories over Bristol on Sunday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
Scrum-half Ben Foden sealed a 25-21 bonus-point win with the first and last of the Saints' four tries either side of scores from Jon Clarke and Chris Mayor.
But they were forced to survive a late scare as Bristol rallied from 25-9 down to snatch a losing bonus point through tries from Lee Robinson and Luke Arscott.
Victory at the Memorial Stadium ensures Northampton will top the pool with two rounds still to play, having taken a maximum 20 points from their first four games.