Live Commentary: New Orleans Saints 13-23 Atlanta Falcons - as it happened

Atlanta Falcons hosted New Orleans Saints in the NFL NFC South clash, looking to improve on their 10-1 record.

The Falcons went into a quick 17-point lead before the Saints finally found their feet to pull back to 13-17.

However, the Falcons had a strong final quarter to see out the game for their 11th win from 12.

See how the action unfolded below with Sports Mole's live text commentary.

4.41amThat's all from me! Thanks for joining me for this intriguing contest. It was full of mistakes and clever plays and ultimately the side that made the fewer errors won. Good night.

FULL-TIME!The hosts see out the clock and take the win! Saints 13-23 Falcons!

2nd & 6 FalconsA run gains four yards, before Rodgers completes the rest with a run through the middle. Final time-out used by Saints.

2nd & 5 SaintsMoore came from nowhere to intercept! That one will count - fantastic from the D, and that is the fifth of the game.

2nd & 10 SaintsNicholas palms down the throw on first down and then it's interception number five! Or is it?? No, Abraham was offside! Escape for Brees. Second down.

1st & 10 SaintsCentral completion from Brees to Moore.

1st & 10 SaintsIndeed it's Saints' ball at first down instead of a TD. Fortunate for Falcons there, they should still see this out.

1st & 10 FalconsWith just over two minutes left the decision is under review. Most likely scenario is a fumble but Saints to pick up from near the incident rather than the touchdown they eventually ran.

1st & 10 FalconsThat interception has surely settled the game, as it pops out of Turner's grasp and Saints break! There's confusion as there didn't appear to be a whistle to stop Saints running with the ball.

3rd & 10 SaintsBrees is blitzed, gets away a throw which is intercepted! Fantastic take by Jonathan Babineaux.

2nd & 10 SaintsBrees drops a pass short of Moore on first down and Chris Owens knocks down his second attempt. Third and long...

2nd & 10 SaintsBrees's first short pass is dropped so he goes longer on second down to make the yards.

1st & 10 SaintsWith less than five minutes to go, it's Hail Mary time for Saints.

1st & 10 SaintsI of course mean Saints are now two scores away... refresh and all will be fine!

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!An absolutely mammoth 55-yard field goal goes over the posts. Huge in length and huge in importance - Saints are now at least two scores away at Saints 13-23 Falcons. Hard to get back into this now for Saints.

3rd & 14 FalconsA gain of six puts it just in range for a Bryant kick. 55 yards...

2nd & 8 FalconsGain of two on first down, but a blitz from Saints forces Ryan to thrown short for a loss of six. Third & long again.

3rd & 8 FalconsGood play Falcons. Ryan waits and finds Jones, who had created a lot of space for himself. First down.

2nd & 10 FalconsRyan's throw is touched by Hicks for an incomplete and two yards are gained on second down to set up 3rd & long.

2nd & 3 FalconsGonzales makes another seven yards and Turner just gains the other three on second down.

2nd & 6 FalconsJones catches for a gain of four on first down, then Ryan finds Gonzales in acres for a first down.

3rd & 5 SaintsAbraham with a huge sack on Brees - he curves round and hammers into the Saints QB.

2nd and 1 SaintsA gain of nine straight up sets up a simple run for one, but Moore for the Falcons is well up to tackle the runner for a loss.

1st & 10 SaintsSuperb central throw from Brees to Graham for a first down.

3rd & 5 SaintsBrees throws to Graham for a gain of five and then a fine falling catch from Moore sets up a first down.

2nd & 10 SaintsFive running yards gained by Thomas, but the five yards are back on the board after an offensive penalty.

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!It's an easy 29-yarder and Atlanta get their first points of the half. Saints 13-20 Falcons.

3rd & goal FalconsAgain incomplete and they'll kick for three more points and a seven-point lead...

END OF QUARTER 3!Ryan's throw to the end zone is incomplete and it'll be 3rd & goal at the start of the fourth. The score is Saints 13-17 Falcons.

2nd & goal FalconsTurner stopped short for a loss on first down, and another penalty against the offence for a false start puts them back a further five yards.

1st & 10 FalconsWhite takes a deep throw wide on the right. Five yards to the line...

2nd & 11 FalconsLoss of a yard on first down, before Gonzales gathers a hard, straight throw from Ryan for a fresh set of downs.

2nd & 5 SaintsColston catches for five yards on first down, before INTERCEPTION! Third of the game for the Falcons.

1st & 10 SaintsSproles weaves nicely to gain an extra 10 or so yards as Saints will pick up the ball around their 35. Falcons really struggling to convert first downs this quarter.

4th & 10 FalconsRyan steps away from being sacked to throw incomplete on the first down, and again misses on 2nd and 3rd & 10.

FIELD GOAL SAINTS!Hartley thumps over a 52-yard field goal - the second longest of his career. It's now a four-point game at Saints 13-17 Falcons.

3rd & 2 SaintsEight yard passing gained, with nothing doing on 2nd & 2. Brees's throw is cut out on third down.

3rd & 2 SaintsGrubbs runs eight yards for 2nd & 2. Brees goes long and Sproles drops when he should have held it. They run the yards to reach first down.

4th & 7 FalconsRyan's throw is incomplete and Bosher will have to punt again. Saints return to the 30.

2nd & 15 FalconsTurner carries five yards, before a penalty for holding brings up 2nd & 15.

1st & 10 FalconsIt seems ages since the Falcons last had the football. Can they create anything from this drive deep in their own half?

FIELD GOAL SAINTS!The kick from close is good, but it should have been so much more if Moore could have held on a moment ago. As it is, Saints are back to within seven at Saints 10-17 Falcons.

3rd & goal SaintsShort throw from Brees and Saints cannot get over the line. They'll have to kick.

1st & goal SaintsMoore should be catching that in the end zone! He drops it and it's 2nd & goal...

2nd & 9 SaintsBrees throws once more down the middle for Jimmy Graham. Straightforward play.

1st & 10 SaintsOne yard gained on the running play. Good defence Atlanta.

3rd & 9 SaintsSproles catches from Brees wide on the right and just gets the nine yards required for a first down.

3rd & 9 SaintsFive yard penalty for the offence... Big play here.

2nd & 4 SaintsBrees's pass is not gathered, but it's up in the air and Atlanta cannot quite catch for an interception.

1st & 10 SaintsSix yards gained on the ground, and it's 2nd & 4.

1st & 10 SaintsThomas through the middle again picks up 13.

2nd & 10 SaintsBrees this time finds Moore open on the left, who runs out of bounds.

1st & 10 SaintsRees's pass well blocked by Abraham for 2nd & 10.

1st & 10 SaintsGreat run from Thomas! The blockers opened up a gap right through the middle and Thomas got all 10 yards in one pop.

2nd & 8 SaintsThomas runs for a couple before Colston makes his fifth reception to get the yards for first down.

3.13amAtlanta kick off for the second half!

3.11amDespite being 10 points behind at the half, Saints have managed more yards up to this point. They have 235 overall compared to the Falcons's 176 - the difference has been Atlanta's clinical start to the game.

Half-time!Saints 7-17 Falcons! Well, that could have ended a lot better for the Saints, but Falcons were just saved by the bell.

1st & Goal SaintsBrees's throw drops short, Saints are out of timeouts and cannot get to the line in time.

1st & Goal SaintsBrees finds Sproles down the middle, and it's an 11-yard gain.

1st & Goal SaintsIt was a seven-yard touchdown for Sproles... but offensive blocking has pulled it back 10 yards for a 1st & 17.

2nd & 10 SaintsSproles accelerates away and makes 12 yards for a 1st & goal with a minute left.

1st & 10 SaintsBrees is under pressure and throws into the ground. 1:34 of the half left.

1st & 10 SaintsColston catches wide open down the middle for another big gain of 21.

1st & 10 SaintsBrees throws all the way to the Atlanta 43 for a 28-yard gain! With just over two minute left Saints could score again before half-time.

4th & 1 FalconsBosher punts well, but Darren Sproles returns it well.

3rd & 16 FalconsRyan throws to Jason Snelling, who makes up 15 of the 16 yards needed. So close!

2nd & 10 FalconsRyan is sacked by Jordan! His seventh of the season and it's 3rd & loooong for Falcons.

1st & 10 FalconsNo yards gained and it's 2nd & 10.

Saints 7-17 FalconsThe kick is good and Saints have got themselves back in this before the half.

TOUCHDOWN SAINTS!Ingram dives over a wall of blocking and the call is eventually given as a saints TD. They've scored with just over three minutes to go in the half.

1st & Goal SaintsIndeed it is called back and Saints have two or three plays to make up a solitary yard. In fact it's half a yard.

TOUCHDOWN SAINTS?Big running play and it's Jake Thomas who takes advantage of some excellent blocking to edge over the line. However his knee looked down just before the endzone and it might be called back to the one-yard line.

1st & 10 SaintsBrees again holds off severe pressure to pick out a pass, this time down the middle.

3rd & 2 SaintsBrees dips right and goes for the endzone. It's incomplete but no matter, there's a defensive penalty against Atlanta and first down again for Saints.

2nd & 9 SaintsA yard gained with a run, then a further seven to set up 3rd & 2.

3rd & 8 SaintsBrees is almost blitzed but squirms free to throw for first down.

2nd & 8 SaintsBrees goes long again and this time Joseph Morgan for Atlanta is there to jump and tap the ball away. It'll be 3rd & long now.

1st & 10 SaintsAnother couple of yards gained for 2nd & 8.

3rd & 9 SaintsHUGE play for Saints. Brees throws deep and Lance Moore jumps between two defenders to hang on.

2nd & 9 SaintsDeep Brees throw palmed down for a 3rd & long.

1st & 10 SaintsJust a yard gained on the run, but already better than the last drive!

1st & 10 SaintsThe kick is very long and Saints will restart from the 20. What can they manage with this drive? So far, Falcons defence has dominated.

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!The 45-yard kick from Matt Bryant is good and the lead is extended to Saints 0-17 Falcons.

3rd & 8 FalconsRyan throws out of bounds and Falcons will have to settle for a field goal attempt.

2nd & 8 FalconsRyan goes incomplete after being pressured by a Saints blitz. Third and long.

1st & 10 FalconsTurner makes a couple of yards. Nine minutes of the half left.

1st & 10 SaintsINTERCEPTION! Wetherspoon pips the ball and Falcons start again from the 29.

4th & 1 FalconsIt's a great return down the line for an extra 15 or so yards for the Saints. They'll start their drive a little closer to the Falcons half than they have so far.

3rd & 8 FalconsShort pass, but only seven yards are gained and Falcons will punt at 4th & 1.

2nd & 8 FalconsRyan looks for White, who should probably gather but it's incomplete.

1st & 10 FalconsTurner only gains a couple of yards on first down for his 68th yard of the night! 11.3 average so far.

4th & 15 SaintsA decent punt puts Falcons back 53 yards to around their 30. They still look poor in offence New Orleans.

3rd & 15 SaintsBrees is almost sacked and eventually throws incomplete for 4th & 15. Time to punt again.

2nd & 7 SaintsHUGE hit from Robinson to force Saints into a three-yard loss for 3rd & long. And now a five-yard penalty...

1st & 10 SaintsThree yards gained on the run.

1st & 10 SaintsThe return is only to around the 14-yard line, leaving the Saints with 86 yards to score. They make 12 straight away.

Saints 0-14 FalconsThe extra point is good and the Falcons are completely in control here! That was Gonzales's 71st reception of the season. In week 13 that's some achievement.

TOUCHDOWN FALCONS!A 17-yard touchdown for Falcons! Tony Gonzales catches cleanly with a good leap.

1st & 10 FalconsA run for a yard loss on the first play in the second quarter.

END OF QUARTER 1The yards are made up then Jones catches a medium throw from Ryan to end the quarter with a first down deep in Saints territory with the score Saints 0-7 Falcons.

1st & 10 FalconsFalcons get an extra five yards for a Saints player out of bounds, which means they start from inside the opponents' half. Ryan throws for eight yards.

3rd & 2 SaintsBrees throws incomplete and Saints are still unable to cause any damage. There's a flag on the play after the punt.

2nd & 5 SaintsThree more yards squeezed out to set up 3rd & short.

1st & 10 SaintsIngram makes five yards with a running play.

3rd & 10 FalconsJulio Jones cannot reel it in and the Falcons will have to punt. Somehow Sproles clatters into his own man Robinson, who eventually makes up a few yards.

2nd & 10 FalconsIncomplete pass by Hill, followed by a deep pass that is swatted away. Third & long now.

1st & 10 FalconsTurner yet again tearing into the Saints defence. He makes 12 yards and set up the third straight first down.

1st & 10 FalconsTurner runs again and makes up the full 10 yards on first down.

3rd & 2 SaintsShort gain sets up 3rd & short. Rees goes for the long pass but goes behind his receiver Colston. They have to punt and a second drive comes to nothing. A good punt, Falcons now must start from behind their own 10 yard line.

1st & 10 SaintsMoore makes six yards on the run through the middle.

3rd & 14 SaintsBrees launches to Marques Colston and it's first down.

2nd & 14 SaintsIncomplete pass from Brees and it's 3rd & 14 for the visitors.

1st & 10 SaintsLance Moore runs for a loss.

3rd & 7 FalconsDeep throw down the line towards White, who cannot gather with one hand. White wants a flag against Roberts, but the Falcons punt. Can Saints make something of their next drive?

2nd & 7 FalconsRyan is pressured by the Saints defence and has to throw it out of play. Third and long.

1st & 10 FalconsRodgers gains three yards on the running play to set up 2nd & 7.

2nd & 7 SaintsInterception for Atlanta! Thomas DeCoud gathers another deep throw from Brees and Saints's first drive comes to nothing.

3rd & 8 SaintsHUGE grab by Morgan! Brees hurls it deep for a 35 yard gain and first down.

2nd & 10 SaintsBrees's first passing effort is incomplete, before making just two yards on the second down to set up 3rd & 8.

1st & 10 SaintsIt's as good a start as the Falcons could have wished for, as Saints line up on the 20.

Saints 0-7 AtlantaIt's 80 yards for Atlanta in just six plays as they kick the extra point.

TOUCHDOWN ATLANTA!Atlanta strike first inside four minutes! It's another running play and Turner makes up the three yards easily.

2nd & 5Jacquizz Rodgers makes the five yards before making a full 15 yards on first down to set up first & goal on the three.

2nd & 2HUGE 35 yard running play for Falcons after gaining eight yards on the first down. Michael Turner cuts deep into the Saints.

1.30amWe're underway! Saints kick to the 20.

1.27amAll Saints running backs, Ivory, Ingram, Thomas, Sproles, Cadet, are active for this game.

1.23amFalcons: Davis, Toone, Mitchell, Manley, Gunn, Sidbury, Jerry

1.22amSaints: Shanle, D. Thomas, Brown, Galette, Abdul-Quddus, Roby, Johnson

1.21amJust before we start, here's the list of inactives for both sides.

1.19amSo as mentioned, the Falcons are running away with the conference and the division this season, but really it is their defence that has impressed the most. In a high-scoring NFC South both the Buccaneers and the Saints have outscored Atlanta, but their resilience means they are still up by 78 net points.

1.15amDrew Brees, Saints quarterback, admitted as much in the build-up to this game: "The margin for error is very slight right now. We've kind of used up our nine lives. So we've got to really bear down here and just understand what's at stake every time we step on the field."

1.12amFor Saints, their 5-6 record leaves them with a lot of work to do to make the playoffs. It's possible, but they do need to win here in truth.

1.10amAtlanta, clear leaders of the NFC, can qualify for the playoffs tonight if they win and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not beat the Denver Broncos.

1.07amOn Wednesday when the Saints arrived in Georgia they were pelted with eggs by workers at Atlanta airport as they boarded the team bus!

1.05amThe rivalry between the Saints and the Falcons has been hotting up since New Orleans's win over Atlanta three weeks ago.

1.03amHello and thanks for joining me for what is billed to be an exciting NFL clash tonight.