BATH co-coach Brian Smith launched a thinly-veiled attack on cup final referee Nigel Williams after his side's 48-30 defeat brought a disappointing campaign to a close.

Smith, echoing the sentiments of many disgruntled Bath fans in the stadium who barracked the official repeatedly, claimed Williams' reading of the offside rules had played a part in his team's downfall.

And the Australian was also left bemoaning the sin-binning of centre Kevin Maggs, which caused Bath to leak three tries in a decisive 10-minute first-half spell, and Williams' reluctance to discipline any Wasps players.

Smith said: "In the Premiership, we are used to having that offside line clearly marked and what caught us napping was Nigel Williams' interpretation of the offside line. That shut us down.

"The game was particularly physical, especially in the tackle area. We felt Wasps put a lot of pressure on us there.''

He added: "It was difficult to see what happened with Maggsy's (Kevin Maggs) incident. But that cost us dearly.''

"We are quite disappointed because there were a couple of professional fouls committed when we were inside their 22 and there were no cards presented at that point.

"We are disappointed we ended up with the yellow and red ourselves, but that's not begrudging Wasps because they deserved their victory. They were the better side.''

However, Smith claimed his squad would bounce back next season, boosted by their successful fight against league relegation and a host of new arrivals.

Props David Flatman and Duncan Bell are already on their way, with Wasps' scrum-half Martyn Wood and Bristol wing Brendan Daniel expected to follow suit.

Scrum-half Gareth Cooper is likely to lead a Welsh exodus back across the Severn Bridge from the Rec, with back row Nathan Thomas destined for Cardiff.

But Smith said: "The most pleasing thing is the boys are sticking together.

"There is no finger-pointing and this result, if anything, has galvanised the squad.''

n Bath have submitted an application to extend the temporary East Stand at the Recreation Ground.

If approved, the capacity at the city centre stadium will rise from 8,314 to just under 10,000.

The move is being seen as testing the water on whether expansion is possible at the club's current home, or whether they need to move to a larger purpose-built arena.

General manager Bob Calleja said: "Now that our continued involvement in the Zurich Premiership is secured we need to provide more seats for spectators and better facilities to enhance the enjoyment of rugby to the public and to reinforce our commitment to keep rugby in Bath."