The Exeter Chiefs remain firmly in the midst of a huge fight towards the top of the Gallagher Premiership despite slipping to defeat against Saracens in the final league game before the Six Nations gets underway.
Missing those stars called up to feature for England in the annual competition, the Chiefs fell behind early on when James Hadfield crossed to put Saracens into the lead but soon fought back to move level when Olly Woodburn was able to find space in the corner.
Ivan van Zyl and Greg Fisilau then added a converted try apiece for the two sides, with Owen Farrell and Josh Hodge also swapping penalties to leave the game evenly balanced at 15-15 at half-time.
Juan Martin Gonzalez took advantage of a mistake from Hodge to put Saracens back in front shortly after the break as he went over between the sticks to give Farrell an easy conversion but again the Chiefs roared back to level in fine style.
Hodge this time was able to bring the ball away from his own line and made it to half-way before offloading to Woodburn, with the ball eventually ending up in the hands of Rus Tuima - who crossed the line to complete a fine full-length move and bring the score back to 22-22.
A penalty and drop goal from Farrell allowed Saracens to move back ahead, and further tries from Hadfield and then Theo McFarland right at the death rounded out a 40-22 win for the home side.
Despite slipping to fifth in the table, the Chiefs are just two points behind second placed Harlequins heading into the Six Nations.