Bath booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Cup, doing just enough to hold off a late resurgence by Wasps at Adams Park.

The West Country side dominated the opening hour of a scrappy affair, with tries by Iain Balshaw and Chris Malone.

But Wasps finally kicked into life for the last 20 minutes, fly-half Alex King doing his utmost to create scoring opportunities.

A converted Trevor Leota try and a King penalty cut the deficit to just three points to set up a thrilling final 15 minutes.

But the Londoners failed to do enough to cut the gap.

We're just grateful to have scraped the win Bath assistant coach Brian Smith

Bath started the stronger, Balshaw's return to form and fitness continuing in style with the game's first points after three minutes.

The former England wing evaded a Martyn Wood tackle, before charging towards the line in a typically pacey diagonal run. Olly Barkley added the conversion.

In an error-strewn and spikey match, Wasps were back in the game in no time, a penalty try awarded against Bath after a host of try-stopping infringements in their pack.

King added the conversion but it was his opposite number, Barkley who took the half-time lead, with his second penalty attempt of the afternoon in the 35th minute.

Wasps coach Warren Gatland made two changes at the interval and they paid off within 40 seconds.

You can't win a game giving away the amount of turnover we did Wasps coach Warren Gatland

Replacement scrum-half Andy Williams slipped a simple pass to Chris Malone, another half-time substitute, and he eased through a seemingly asleep Wasps defence for an easy score. Barkley added two points with the boot.

Barkley further stamped Bath's authority over the match with his second penalty of the game.

But Wasps finally woke up, courtesy of some intelligent running by King.

Their second try finally came as Leota burrowed over at the base of a ruck. King converted and added his penalty but Bath managed to hold on for victory.

Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser (van Gisbergen, 46), Waters, Abbott, Logan, A. King, Wood (Howley, 46), Dowd, Leota, W. Green, Shaw, Birkett, Dallaglio, Volley, Scrivener (Lock, 35).
Replacements not used: Erinle, Gotting, Kershaw, Beardshaw.

Bath: Balshaw (Malone, 41), Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Voyce, Barkley, Cooper (A. Williams, 41), Barnes, Humphries (Long, 56), Mallett (Galasso, 47), Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Vander, N. Thomas.
Replacements not used: Perry, Scaysbrook, Beattie.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)