BATH may push Iain Balshaw into the unaccustomed position of fly-half in a desperate attempt to halt their dramatic slide towards Premiership oblivion.

Team director Michael Foley confirmed he would be analysing Balshaw's 25-minute performance in that role during Saturday's 29-11 home defeat to a resurgent Northampton Saints during which the England man set up a consolation try for Tom Voyce.

British Lions ace Balshaw has been out-of-sorts at wing and full-back for his club this season and has yet to score a try in the current campaign.

But the 23-year-old looked something of a rejuvenated figure after being pushed upfield, although his efforts weren't enough to save Bath from a fourth successive league reverse.

Foley said: "The talent Iain has is immeasurable and I think he could definitely be a World XV player. But I think he's been allowed to wallow a bit this season.

"I was very pleased with Iain, he certainly stood up there and fought for the team.

"We need to watch the video and make some decisions and that's something we will be looking closely at."

Certainly Bath need a spark of inspiration to add to the bucketloads of sweat and toil they displayed in this match, which was spirited away from them after a promising opening.

Foley's charges stormed out of the blocks and oozed with creativity. Unfortunately, their brighter moments were restricted to the midfield and when they did get a sniff of their opponents' line, all the old problems returned.

Unable to carve out try-scoring opportunities, they were restricted to sporadic pot-shots at the posts and here too they came up short as Olly Barkley missed two penalty attempts and a drop-goal effort inside the first 10 minutes before finally kicking his side into the lead.

As if to rub salt into the wounds, Saints surged upfield in their first attack and won a penalty of their own, former England man Paul Grayson stroking over the kick to give his side the lead.

That ended Bath's early dominance and Grayson sliced another shot across the posts before booting his side into the lead in the 24th minute.

Saints then threatened a try but Bath summoned all their reserves of courage to form an iron curtain of defence and hold out until half-time.

Grayson's third kick two minutes after the break nudged Northampton further clear and a fourth, on 55 minutes, drastically altered the home side's gameplan.

Balshaw made the switch, Voyce replacing Barkley, but as they sought desperately for a way through, Saints struck a crucial blow.

Bath gave up useful possession allowing the visitors' dominant pack to plough forward. The inevitable gaps appeared and Matt Dawson sniped on the short side to send wing James Brookes past despairing tackles for the first touchdown.

With backs against the wall, Bath enjoyed their best spell as Mike Tindall stroked over a penalty, then led another charge upfield.

Skipper Dan Lyle and Danny Grewcock drove on and Balshaw's canny pass finally sent Voyce diving over to start the home fans dreaming of a comeback.

Their hope was shortlived however, as Scotland prop Tom Smith sparked another Saints drive and, with Bath in disarray, substitute hooker Dan Richmond broke clear from 10 metres out for the try.

Grayson converted and Saints capped their effort with a third try in the last moments, Peter Jorgensen outsprinting Lyle and running in from 30 metres.

Bath: Balshaw, Danielli, Crockett, Tindall, Thirlby, Barkley (Voyce 56), Dalzell, Barnes, Long (Regan 77), Mallett (Emms 53), Borthwick, Grewcock, G Thomas, Scaysbrook (N Thomas 55), Lyle (capt). Subs not used: Chrystie, Cox, Gabey.

Northampton Saints: Beal, Brookes, Jorgensen, Leslie, Tucker (Cohen 40), Grayson, Dawson (Malone 77), Smith, Thompson (Richmond 55), Stewart (Morris 68), Phillips, Brouzet, Blowers, Pountney, Seely (Soden 71). Subs not used: Brenton, Hepher.

Referee: Chris White (Cheltenham.

Attendance: 8,200.