BATH became the second team to win at the Madeski Stadium in the Guinness Premiership in nearly 12 months but only just.

Peter Hewat's conversion to former Bath winger Elvis Sevealii's try late into second half injury time just went wide to deny the Exiles the victory at the death.

Wing Jack Cuthbert then slotted a penalty at the death to seal the points for Steve Meehan's men, who have bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Gloucester.

Exiles full-back Hewat, finally, at the sixth time of asking, landed a goal to reduce the deficit to nine points on 42 minutes.

Irish, their spirits lifted, did come back into the match but, although they could beat the first line of the defence, could not finish off their chances.

Bath regrouped well with Crockett and back rower Stuart Hooper covering superbly.

Hewat landed his second penalty on 67 minutes to put the hosts within a converted try of Bath.

They grabbed that try with three minutes to go, centre Seilala Mapusua drawing in Cuthbert before passing to replacement Sevealii, who chipped over full-back Nick Abendanon before touching down.

Most of the 8,221 Madejski thought Hewat's conversion had gone through the posts – but the two touch judges ruled it had missed for Bath to remain in front.

And they made sure of victory in the sixth minute of second half injury time when Cuthbert slotted a penalty.