Locks Paddy Johns and Danny Grewcock played a leading role as Sarries ran in five tries after the break to move into third place in the table behind Leicester and Northampton.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Neil Roy reports

The home side lost to London Scottish last week and only led 13-6 at the interval.

But replacement Johns crashed over within four minutes of coming on at the start of the second half and Grewcock muscled in for a double in a nine-minute spell to effectively seal victory.

Junior Paramore scored a consolation try for Bedford

Bedford's sole try came from Junior Paramore, who intercepted a Matt Singer chip and powered 35 yards to score.

They had plenty of possession in the first hour but were unable to make the most of it.

Saracens were too happy to accept early penalties from Gavin Johnson, whose haul of four conversions and two penalties gave him 64 successes from 77 kicks this season.

Wing Richard Wallace capitalised on a slicing break by Ryan Constable for the first try, but Tony Yapp gathered a couple of penalties for Bedford before the interval.

Johns was driven over from close range straight after the break and by the 47th minute Saracens were out of sight at 27-6.

Bedford full-back Ben Whetstone hit an aimless kick and Brendon Daniel evaded six tacklers to score and although Paramore went over in reply, Grewcock's power and a final try from scrum-half Marcus Olsen boosted Saracens' points difference.

Injuries meant a run-out for 39-year-old backs coach Paul Turner, who filled a similar role for Bedford before leaving them in September.

"Paul came on when we were winning, but it is a bad sign of many injuries when we have to field a coach," said player-boss Francois Pienaar.