An awesome kicking display from Gareth Steenson condemned London Irish to yet another defeat at the Madejski Stadium as Exeter Chiefs triumphed on Sunday.
An early try from Ofisa Treviranus gave basement side Irish an early lead.
It gave cause for optimism in what was an excellent opening to the match. Indiscipline was an issue later in the half as two penalties kept the Chiefs in touch.
After the break, a Lewis try handed the initiative to Exeter while a deliberate knock on from Ian Nagle stretched the hosts’ defence further.
Irish looked to have found a way back into the match when Topsy Ojo scored a try late on but Steenson’s boot kept the Chiefs out of reach as it finished 15-22.
The result sees the hosts remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership, five points behind Worcester Warriors. Meanwhile, the visitors stretch their advantage in second place to eight points over Wasps.