England prop Kyle Sinckler could face disciplinary action following an accusation of gouging made during Harlequins' 30-22 Aviva Premiership defeat by Northampton.

Michael Paterson made the claim immediately after a 49th-minute incident at Franklin's Gardens in which the Saints second row was tackled by Sinckler and replays showed his rival's hand make contact with his face.

Referee Luke Pearce examined the four available camera angles, but each was inconclusive and he awarded a penalty against Quins' combustible British & Irish Lions front row for removing Paterson's scrum cap, adding that the matter might interest the citing officer.

Sinckler denied that he had made contact with the eye area -- an offence that carries an entry-point suspension of 12 weeks -- but Paterson refused to shake his hand when it was offered upon conclusion of Pearce's on-field inquest.

England's second choice tighthead for the autumn series that starts against Argentina on Nov. 11 had been treading a fine line until Paterson made his gouging accusation as his aggression threatened to boil over on several occasions.

The 24-year-old was arrested for a minor offence by Auckland police after the Lions' third Test against New Zealand in June and was subsequently warned about his conduct by Eddie Jones.

The second-half incident at Franklin's Gardens diverted attention away from an otherwise spirited performance from Quins, who arrived in the East Midlands without a number of influential players due to injury yet kept the result in doubt until the final three minutes.

England trio Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler had been lost to the treatment room, while Australia lock and club captain James Horwill was one of three further players lost to concussion.

In their absence, Northampton played some magnificent rugby and scored tries to secure the bonus point, enabling them to surge to the summit of the Premiership on the back of a fourth successive win illuminated by George North's continued return to form and the ingenuity of scrum-half Nic Groom.

Saints dominated the opening exchanges yet found themselves trailing 7-5 after Luther Burrell flung an ill-advised long pass straight into the arms of Aaron Morris, who skipped to his left and easily won the 60-yard dash to the line.

North's power had given Saints the lead after the Wales wing burst through tackles from Jack Clifford and Danny Care to force his way over with help from the Groom's driving legs.

It was only a matter of time before Quins cracked again, however, due to the pressure they were under and it was poor defending that enabled Tom Collins to take an inside pass from Harry Mallinder and plot an arcing line over the whitewash.

North and flanker Jamie Gibson were having strong games, but Northampton's momentum was being halted by handling errors at key times.

But just as Quins seemed to be forcing their way back into contention, a Marcus Smith penalty rewarding them on the scoreboard, Saints struck through a terrific try that started when full-back Ahsee Tuala counter-attacked.

The ball passed with precision and expert timing through the hands of Teimana Harrison, Nic Groom, Tuala once more and Courtney Lawes before Mikey Haywood finished the move under the posts.

For all their injuries, Quins were showing impressive determination and they pounced deep into first-half injury-time when Jamie Roberts pierced a ragged defence, taking his chance well.

That good work was wasted shortly after the interval when Groom's cross-field kick was gathered by Tuala, who capitalised on weak defending on Yarde's wing to cross in the corner.

Once the inconclusive inquest into Sinckler's fracas with Paterson had finished, Mallinder was able to kick a penalty and then complete a try-saving tackle on Yarde who had presented with a great chance by the ingenuity of Marcus Smith.

Dave Ward burrowed over to keep the result in doubt until Stephen Myler landed a 78th-minute penalty to sweep Northampton over the line.