Olly Barkley missed an injury-time conversion to deny Zurich Premiership strugglers Bath a share of the points with Wasps in their last league game this season.

Barkley's miss meant the visitors secured the win after staving off a spirited Bath fightback.

The home side trailed 17-6 early in the second half before Wasps lost their way when skipper Lawrence Dallaglio was sin-binned for the second straight game.

Bath, spared the prospect of relegation following the controversial decision to deny Rotherham promotion, clawed themselves back to 17-14 while Dallaglio was off the field.

But Wasps scored what turned out to be the decisive try when former rugby league star Martin Offiah sprinted over from 30 metres out.

Offiah had entered the game as a substitute in the first minute when wing Shane Roiser was carried off.

Bath, though, dug deep to produce one of their best displays of a poor season, and Andy Long's injury time try gave them hope of a draw and the two points that would have taken them above Saracens into 10th place.

But Barkley sent the kick wide, and Wasps achieved their sixth league win in seven games to set up a play-off clash at Sale next weekend.

Roiser, who had initially looked to be seriously hurt, was able to take his seat on the Wasps bench in time to watch his side claim a 10-6 interval lead.

Wasps wing Paul Sampson finished a flowing 21st-minute move to score the game's first try.

Alex King added the conversion and then knocked over a penalty to eclipse Bath's two penalties by full-back Rob Thirlby, who took over the kicking while Barkley was off receiving treatment.

Wasps prop Will Green powered over from a lineout two minutes after the re-start, and with King converting Wasps looked well on their way to victory.

But when referee Steve Lander yellow-carded Dallaglio for killing the ball, Wasps quickly found themselves on the back foot.

Barkley kicked a penalty, and flanker Gavin Thomas crossed for a try before Barkley booted another penalty to tie the scores at 17-17 entering the final quarter.

Dallaglio rallied Wasps for a final effort, and Offiah's try proved just enough to clinch victory.

Bath: Thirlby, Danielli, Cox, Davy, Voyce, Barkley, Cooper, D. Barnes, Regan, Emms, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, N. Thomas, Lyle. Replacements: Dalzell, Long, Mallett, Knox, Crockett, Delve, Gabey.

Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser, Abbott, Denney, Sampson, A. King, Wood, Dowd, Leota, W. Green, Shaw, Jones, Lock, Worsley, Dallaglio. Replacements: Friday, Greening, Leek, Offiah, Beardshaw, Jenkins, Mackenzie.

Referee: Steve Lander (RFU).