Luke Northmore dotted down in the opening five minutes as Quins took the early lead before his Exeter counterpart at outside centre Henry Slade responded in kind six minutes before the interval.

Seconds before the break, Exeter were reduced to 14-men after Alec Hepburn was giving his marching orders for a dangerous clearout.

That failed to deter the visitors who took the lead on 66 minutes as replacement hooker Jack Innard touched down – the missed conversion proving crucial for the Chiefs.

With two minutes remaining, the defending Quins claimed victory – fly-half Marcus Smith the creator with a sumptuous cross-field kick, Andre Esterhuizen the beneficiary as he crossed the whitewash – Smith adding the extras to secure victory.

Elsewhere, Pool A hopefuls Northampton Saints romped to victory against Newcastle Falcons 44-8.

Tries from Tom Collins, Courtnall Skosan, Josh Matavesi, George Furbank and Tom James secured a vital bonus-point victory – Dan Biggar added 17 points with four conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

In the United Rugby Championship, Pool A rivals Glasgow Warriors and Ospreys squared-off at Scotstoun Stadium – the host taking victory 38-19.

Outside centre Sione Tuipulotu notched a brace – as Josh McKay, Cole Forbes and Fraser Brown added further tries – against their Welsh opposition. Dan Evans was the lone try scorer for Ospreys, with Gareth Anscombe contributing 14 points with the boot.

Munster Rugby and Ulster Rugby did battle in a meeting between two sides with a 100% record in Europe this season.

Munster, who sit second in Pool B with two wins from two, took the spoils with an 18-13 triumph, but had to overcome the early red card of Simon Zebo.

Alex Kendellen’s late try the difference at Thomond Park – Mike Haley also on the scoresheet for the two-time European Cup victors.

Ulster, who are second in Pool A, opened the scoring through an eighth minute Rob Herring try, but failed to cross the whitewash in the remainder of the contest.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Rugby, who have it all to do in Pool B after back-to-back defeats to start their European campaign, fell to a 34-10 reverse at the hands of Edinburgh Rugby – Owen Lane the sole try scorer on the afternoon.

In the TOP 14 there were wins for Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Castres Olympique and Racing 92 ahead of the return of European action next weekend.

Heineken Champions Cup Pool B leaders Harlequins earned a hard-fought 14-12 victory in the Gallagher Premiership against 2020 European Cup winners Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stoop.