Opposition view: Exeter boss Baxter gives his take on chaotic conclusion

Joe Simmonds had a late conversion that would have won the game for the hosts, but Saints rushed out and Ollie Sleightholme booted the ball into the stands after noticing that Simmonds had started his run-up.

Referee Christophe Ridley blew his whistle to confirm the black, green and gold had bagged a memorable 13-12 victory in horrible conditions.

It was Saints' first win at Sandy Park since February 2014, ending a streak of 10 successive defeats.

And Baxter, who led Exeter to a Premiership and Champions Cup double last season, was quick to praise Chris Boyd's side after the hard-fought Gallagher Premiership encounter.

“As far as I can tell, I think ‘Simmo’ moved, they charged and that’s what you are allowed to do,” Baxter said.

“Until I watch the video I don’t know, but in a lot of ways it is irrelevant to me. It is not the referee’s decision at the end which has decided that game.

“We’ve not taken our opportunities, which is a little bit uncharacteristic of us, and you have to give Northampton massive credit for how they fought on their try-line.

“We weren’t bang on. There are a few things we can look at.

"It was a tough game of rugby, Northampton played their part in it, and we have come up a shade short.

“Sometimes that’s the way of the rugby gods. He was up there thinking ‘I’m not sure Exeter deserve to win this’. Sometimes it works like that.”