BATH signed off their Premiership campaign with their eighth defeat in nine games but arguably their one of their most uplifting displays under team director Michael Foley.

Olly Barkley's last-gasp conversion miss denied Foley's injury-ravaged side what would have been a deserved draw, Wasps escaping with a 24-22 result that cemented their seventh place with the Championship play-offs in mind.

But Bath at least managed to achieve their primary aim by avoiding a drop to the foot of the table, salvaging some late pride from the wreckage of a dire season.

Several of this team are unlikely to find themselves in the blue, black and white colours next season. But if this was the last hurrah, at least they pulled out all the stops to go out with a bang, rather than a whimper.

Bath found themselves trailing 10-6 after a first half that lasted 50 minutes due to a horrific early injury to Wasps' Shane Roiser.

The winger cracked his face against the knee of Simon Danielli during a move that should have brought the home side a try, only for Barkley to drop the scoring pass with the line gaping.

Ten minutes of treatment later, play resumed only for it to be halted for a further four as Barkley took a blow to the shoulder.

In the meantime, Rob Thirlby booted Bath in front from a penalty but midway through the half, the visitors grabbed the lead with a stunning try.

England's Lawrence Dallaglio started the move off a scrum and full-back Josh Lewsey crashed through the defensive line to send Paul Sampson over, fly-half Alex King converting.

Thirlby's second kick brought Bath to within a point, but Wasps wasted chances to stretch their advantage as King missed a further kick and a drop goal.

Still the visitors piled forward though, Bath gallantly holding out in the face of the onslaught until King slotted over his second successful kick with the last kick of the half.

Wasps nearly extended their advantage straight after the restart as Lewsey scorched away from his own 22 and appeared to send Sampson under the posts, before Simon Danielli retreated to make the tackle.

But the reprieve was temporary as Bath completely lost their bearings at a lineout deep in their own half and prop Will Green barged through unopposed for a try that King again converted.

Stung into action, the hosts stormed back in style with Dallaglio being ordered to the sin-bin as the London side threatened to buckle under the pressure.

Skipper Dan Lyle's surge put Bath on the front foot again, before Nathan Thomas broke through to send namsake Gavin over for the try.

Barkley missed the conversion but levelled the scores on the hour mark as Simon Shaw was penalised for a deliberate knock-on and for a while it looked as if they would go on to clinch a stunning victory.

However, as so often this season Bath were the architects of their own downfall. Witht 13 minutes to go, Barkley let an innocuous clearance kick bounce into touch before his quick throw-in attempt caused Thirlby to knock-on. With Bath's defence all behind the ball, substitute Martin Offiah gathered and cut through to crash over under the posts.

King converted but Bath would not lie down. They poured forward for the final 10 minutes, seemingly without reward until the final moments.

Then, Voyce's burst scattered the defence, Gavin Thomas was held up inches short and his offload was gathered by Andy Long who dived over.

Barkley had the chance to improve Bath's final league position by a place with the conversion, but it screwed wide leaving his side with only a bonus point to their name.

TEAMS: Bath: Thirlby, Danielli, Cox, Davey, Voyce, Barkley (Knox 19-29), Cooper (Dalzell 70), Barnes, Regan (Long 43), Emms, Borthwick, Grewcock, G Thomas, N Thomas (Delve 61, Gabey 73), Lyle (capt). Subs not used: Mallett, Crockett.

London Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser (Offiah 6), Abbott, Denney, Sampson, Wood (Friday 64, Leek 75), Dowd, Leota (Greening 64), Green (McKenzie 75), Shaw, Jones, Lock (Jenkins 74), Worsley, Dallaglio (capt).

Subs not used: Beardshaw.

Referee: Steve Lander (RFU)

Yellow cards: Dallaglio 46-56, deliberate offence

Attendance: 8,200