Phil Dawson kicked a 35-yard field goal in overtime to give the San Francisco 49ers a narrow 27-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFL this evening.
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The 49ers had an early opportunity when Antoine Bethea intercepted a Drew Brees pass, giving the visitors the ball in New Orleans territory.
Colin Kaepernick handed the ball off the Frank Gore, leaving the running back to sprint over from four yards out to give the NFC West side the lead.
San Francisco extended their advantage before the end of the first quarter when Kaepernick picked up a big gain on a scramble, before Carlos Hyde ran it over for a touchdown.
The Saints briefly cut the lead in the second quarter when a long pass from Brees found Brandin Cooks, but Anquan Boldin hauled in Kaepernick's throw in the next drive to restore the 49ers' advantage.
The home side were denied the chance to cut the gap again just before half time when a pass intended for Jimmy Graham was picked off by Chris Culliver.
Brees did find his tight end in the third quarter though, connecting with Graham in the corner of the endzone to cut the gap to just four points.
Kaepernick struggled to maintain the rhythm that the offense had in the first half, and the visitors were unable to add to their score in the third quarter.
The Saints looked more dangerous as the game progressed though, allowing Brees to connect with Graham again late on, giving New Orleans the lead or the first time.
Kaerpernick managed to get the 49ers back across midfield with a long pass down the middle to Michael Crabtree, before Dawson tied the game with a field goal.
Brees thought that he had won the game with a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds of regular time, but Graham was penalised for a shove on Perrish Cox, sending the game into overtime.
Both teams had a possession without scoring at the start of overtime, but a hit from Ahmad Brooks forced Brees to fumble during New Orleans' second drive, giving the 49ers kicker a chip shot from 35 yards out.
The result ends a two-year unbeaten run at home for the Saints, but leaves them at the top of the NFC South, while the 49ers move to 5-4.
Sian Cowper
