Bath climbed off the bottom of the table

Bath snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-gasp try to keep their hopes of Premiership survival intact.

Samoan winger Elvis Seveali'i raced home in the dying seconds to clinch the win for his struggling side.

Bath looked to be buried when London Irish's Barry Everitt slotted a drop-goal in injury time to give the Exiles a 15-13 lead with barely seconds left.

We're still breathing and live to fight another day Bath coach Michael Foley More post-match reaction

But Bath scrum-half Gareth Cooper spotted space on the right from the re-start and timed his pass perfectly to send replacement Seveali'i scampering home inches from the touchline.

Centre Kevin Maggs also went over for Bath, while Everitt kicked all of Irish's points.

Bath's crucial win lifted them off the bottom to ninth place in the Zurich Premiership, one point above London Irish and Bristol with Newcastle a further point adrift in last position.

Relegation battle: To play: Bath: Bristol (A), Newcastle (H) London Irish: Leeds (H), Leicester (A), Bristol (H) Bristol: Northampton (A), Wasps (H), Saracens (A), Bath (H), London Irish (A) Newcastle: Gloucester (A), Northampton (H), Saracens (H), Bath (A)

One side will be relegated to Division One at the end of the season.

Everitt began proceedings in a a low-scoring first half, kicking his side into a 6-0 lead before Bath winger Olly Barkley pulled back three points with a penalty in the 40th minute.

But Bath scored the first try against the run of play through Maggs, converted by Barkley for a 10-6 lead at the interval.

It's deeply depressing - to lose in injury time is gut-wrenching Exiles fly-half Barry Everitt

Everitt was twice on target again for Irish early in the second period before Barkley answered with a 30-metre kick to edge Bath in front by a point 13 minutes later, setting up the dramatic finale.

Bath have only two games left in the league this season, away to Bristol and home to Newcastle.

The Falcons are due to meet Gloucester, Northampton and Saracens, while London Irish play Leeds, Leicester and Bristol.

The Shoguns also meet Northampton, Wasps and Saracens.

Bath: Perry, Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Barkley, Catt, Cooper, Barnes, Humphreys, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Beattie, N. Thomas.
Replacements: Blake, Mears, Galasso, Seveali'i, Davey, Scaysbrook, Delve.

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Appleford, Everitt, Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Casey, Cockle, Dawson, Sheasby.
Replacements: Barrett, Mapletoft, Danaher, Flavin, Roche, Hatley, Halford.

Referee: Chris White (RFU).