A late try from Francisco Leonelli on his comeback was enough to give Saracens a 19-14 win over rivals Wasps in the Guinness Premiership and keep them in the race for a Heineken Cup spot.

The Men in Black looked to be heading for defeat when Tom Voyce scored a try with seven minutes remaining to give the visitors a slender lead. But Argentine Leonelli marked an excellent performance, in his first game since October, with a try to give Sarries a crucial win in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Vicarage Road.

England skipper Steve Borthwick was one of eight players to return for Saracens. He was joined in the pack by Cencus Johnston, Fabio Ongaro, Matias Aguero and Chris Jack. Brad Barritt and Kameli Ratuvou returned from injury to offer some thrust to the Sarries attack and wing Leonelli also started after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The Men in Black got off to a decent start taking the lead inside three minutes when Glen Jackson kicked over a straightforward penalty after the visitors came off their feet. But the Premiership champions quickly restored parity with Danny Cipriani booting over their first penalty.

Jackson attempted to fire Saracens back in front but his drop goal sailed wide of the posts after 15 minutes of the clash. But the home side did not have to wait long to take a 6-3 lead when Jackson added another penalty after Wasps were caught offside.

The visitors were awarded a second penalty midway through the half and Cipriani struck a superb kick, from the right side of the pitch, between the target to level the score. The game burst into life after 28 minutes when Justin Marshall broke clear on a surging run and the scrum half set up Leonelli but he was bundled into touch. Sarries were given their third penalty after Wasps were penalised for coming off their feet. But Kiwi fly half Jackson wasted the opportunity which fell well short.

Wasps were again caught offside following a lively break by Leonelli and Jackson could not miss this time from close range as Sarries edged into the lead again. The visitors created their first real opportunity when centre Dominic Waldouck charged towards the line but he was pushed onto the left touchline by an outstanding tackle from Jackson.

Leonelli was again at the heart of the home attack and his run led to another penalty against Wasps for coming off their feet. Jackson added his fourth penalty of the match to stretch their advantage to 12-6 heading into half-time.

Wasps made a strong start to the second half but their pressure went unrewarded after Charlie Beech knocked the ball on just short of the tryline. But Saracens conceded a penalty on the half-way line for failing to move away from the ball and Cipriani kicked his penalty against the post. The rebound fell to Waldouck but the ball was eventually pushed out for a lineout.

The visitors were quickly awarded another penalty, much closer to the posts, which Cipriani converted to narrow the score to 12-9. Saracens had a chance to extend their lead but Jackson’s opportunistic drop goal effort drifted agonisingly past the post.

The Men in Black handed a debut to South African forward Justin Melck after 67 minutes when he replaced Ben Skirving. Saracens conceded another penalty 11 minutes from time after coming off their feet but Cipriani surprisingly sent his effort wide of the post.

But the game swung towards the visitors with only seven minutes remaining when they took the lead for the first time in the match. Mark Van Gisbergen’s clever chip kick enabled Voyce to outpace the home defence and touch the ball down in the corner. Cipriani missed the conversion but Wasps had a slender two point advantage.

The Men in Black responded superbly and their first try of the game took them back into the lead. Ben Jacobs’ pass set Leonelli free and the wing capped a superb match by racing to score under the posts. Jackson’s simple conversion gave Sarries a five-point lead with five minutes remaining. And they held on to seal a crucial win in the race for a Heineken Cup place.

Saracens: Wyles, Leonelli, Ratuvou (Jacobs, HT), Barritt, Penney, Jackson, Marshall; Aguero, Ongaro, Johnston (Mercey, 26), Ryder (Seymour, 48), Borthwick, Jack, Van Heerden, Skirving

Wasps: Van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Waldouck, Flutey, Voyce, Cipriani, Simpson; Beech, Webber, Barnard, Shaw (Birkett, HT), Skivington, Haskell, Rees, Leo (Veale, 52)

Scoring: 3-0, 3-3, 6-3, 6-6, 9-6, 12-6 HT 12-9, 12-14, 17-14, 19-14

Referee: Andrew Small

Attendance: 16,257