London (AFP) - Chris Ashton equalled the English Premiership all-time try-scoring record as his double helped leaders Leicester enjoy a 22-17 win at Exeter on Sunday that secured a play-off place for the Tigers.
The former England wing's early try and a score from Freddie Steward left Leicester 12-0 up at half-time.
Ashton's intercept effort early in the second half meant he equalled Tom Varndell's record of 92 top-flight tries.
His well-travelled career has seen Ashton turn out for Harlequins, Sale, Saracens, Northampton and French club Toulon.
The dual-code international, 35 on Tuesday, won the last of his 44 England caps in 2019 and Ashton feared his career might be over until Tigers boss Steve Borthwick offered him a short-term contract in February.
Now Ashton wants to round-off his time in the game by setting an outright record for most Premiership tries.
"There's a word in the way -- equal," said Ashton."I've spent since the age of five wanting to score tries, so it would be nice to leave the record behind.Yes it would.
"But having spent time at home thinking that was it, I'm just grateful to be back out here playing and enjoying it."
Leicester playmaker George Ford limped off just after the half-hour mark but Borthwick said he believed the England fly-half had avoided serious injury.
Exeter hit back with tries from Dave Ewers and Patrick Schickerling.
Joe Simmonds' penalty with four minutes left gave Exeter a losing bonus point.
But that was as good as it good for the Chiefs, who were unable to conjure up a winning score in the closing stages.
Leicester's first win at Sandy Park in nearly eight years left the Midlands club 12 points clear of Saracens at the top of the Premiership table and ensured they will be among the top four clubs at the end of the regular season who will then contest the title-deciding play-offs.
Southwest side Exeter remained fourth, two points ahead of Sale and three clear of Gloucester, who have a game in hand and are awaiting a ruling after Worcester were unable to fulfil their fixture on Friday.
"What Leicester have got at the moment is that machine-like quality that we had at our best," said Exeter supremo Rob Baxter."They made the most of their opportunities and limited ours.
"We were in a fight for the play-offs before this and we are definitely in a fight now."
