Northampton staged a dramatic late rally to pip Bath for a place in the Powergen Cup semi-finals after a pulsating clash at The Rec.

The home side appeared to be on the verge of a first domestic cup semi-final since 1996 when they led 29-23 in the final quarter.

But a try from Saints centre Peter Jorgensen with two minutes left, converted by Paul Grayson, secured last year's beaten finalists a place in the last four.

Match facts

Bath 29 (23): Tries: Cooper, Barnes Cons: Barkley 2 Pens: Barkley 5 Saints 30 (17): Tries: Cohen 2, Jorgensen Cons: Grayson 3 Pens: Grayson 3

In-form England wing Ben Cohen bagged the visitors' other two tries as the Saints turned round a 16-3 first-quarter deficit.

But Bath led 23-17 at the interval as Ollie Barkley kicked three penalties and converted tries from scrum-half Gareth Cooper and prop David Barnes.

Two more penalties from the fly-half appeared decisive before Jorgensen - a fortnight after claiming a late Heineken Cup winning-score against Biarritz - struck.

Referee Steve Lander sin-binned three players, including Bath captain Danny Grewcock and Northampton number eight Mark Connors after they freely traded blows.

I thought we were the better team, but it was an outstanding game of rugby Bath coach Mike Foley

The game began with a flare-up among the forwards after just two minutes.

Several players threw punches, but Lander singled out Saints hooker Dan Richmond for a lecture, and Barkley struck the resulting penalty from 50 metres.

Although Grayson quickly levelled, Bath opened up a 13-3 lead inside 15 minutes.

Barkley kicked another penalty before Cohen fumbled a steepling kick from Mike Catt - making his first start since November - to give Bath an attacking lineout.

Cohen scored twice for Saints

Flanker Adam Vander broke clear before finding the supporting Cooper, who enjoyed a simple run-in.

Another Barkley penalty extended the lead, but Cohen reduced the deficit when he scythed through Bath's midfield defence, Grayson converting.

A stunning Mike Tindall tackle on Saints' ex-All Blacks wing Bruce Reihana denied Northampton another try.

But they moved ahead when Grayson ran a penalty and Cohen caught the fly-half's kick, Grayson converting for a 17-16 lead.

There is a lot of resolve and spirit in our team - we are all going in the same direction Wayne Smith Northampton coach

Bath regained the ascendancy before the break when the livewire Cooper caught Northampton's defence off guard and Barnes touched down.

Barkley converted for a 23-17 interval lead, just after flanker Andy Beattie was sin-binned for a technical infringement.

Grayson's second successful penalty reduced the gap, only for Barkley to restore Bath's six-point lead.

But it was Saints who marched on after their late rescue act.

Bath: Perry; Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Barkley; Catt, Cooper; Barnes, Humphries, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Vander, N Thomas.
Replacements: A. Williams, Mears, Galasso, Voyce, G. Thomas, Scaysbrook, Emms.

Northampton: Beal; Reihana, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen; Grayson, Dawson; Smith, Richmond, Stewart, Lord, Hunter, Blowers, Pountney (capt), Connors.
Replacements: Thompson, Budgen, Williams, Seely, Vass, Brooks, Sleightholme.

Referee: Steve Lander (RFU)