Attack has often been considered the best form of defence – and it is a theory Bath and Glasgow certainly stuck by as they produced a nine-try thriller at the Rec.

Victorious Bath were edged five-to-four on the try-count, with the main difference between the sides ultimately being Butch James' boot.

The South African fly-half kicked 15 points for Bath, landing six of his seven attempts at goal, while Glasgow's kickers struggled on a day when attacking ambition took over from defensive dominance.

The Scots, already as good as out of the Heineken Cup after defeats in their opening two pool games, came to Bath to run the ball – and in doing so they created a catalogue of problems for Steve Meehan's side.

Bath, making their 50th Heineken Cup appearance, certainly contributed to their own troubles with a defensive performance that will surely have many of their players wincing during tomorrow's video analysis session.

To balance a rare defensive horror-show, however, there was plenty of attacking cut-and-thrust from Meehan's men, who regularly produced phases of the dazzling rugby they have made their trademark.

The display of winger Michael Stephenson pretty much summed up Bath's performance. He was dangerous in attack and even more dangerous in defence, scoring two of his side's four tries and having a hand in two of Glasgow's.

"I think a lot of our organisation in defence was a bit suspect and that's completely unlike us – we're usually so hot on our defence," said Stephenson, who – to his credit – also made a crucial first-half tackle on John Barclay.

"We'll always score points, but we've got to stop other teams from scoring and we just didn't do that. From an attacking point of view, there were opportunities all over the pitch and it was nice to pop up and score a few.

"It's always nice when you can redeem yourself after you've done something wrong – but the bounce of a rugby ball is never 100 per cent and sometimes goes against you.

"You've got to do the good things when the chances come along – and hopefully they will make up for the negatives."

Andy Beattie and Shaun Berne also crossed as Bath collected what could turn out to be a crucial bonus point in Pool Five, with leaders Toulouse also having banked a five-point haul over the weekend.

But it was anything but plain-sailing for Bath, who trailed 14-11 at the break before leading 35-19 with little more than 15 minutes to play.

Their final 10 minutes was so disjointed and careless that they almost quite literally tossed away victory, failing to boot the ball to touch when camped on the visitors' line in the closing seconds.

Glasgow fly-half Ruaridh Jackson countered, kicked ahead, and, as everyone inside the Rec held their breath, Nick Abendanon managed to chase back, get in front of the No 10 and usher the ball out of play and to safety.

"We certainly had it under control at 35-19, there was no doubt about that," said head coach Meehan.

"And we should know all too well that the game goes until the final bell – if anyone knows that from their experiences this season, it's Bath.

"We need to make sure that we apply ourselves for the full 80 – and this is a question for the players, both individually and collectively."

Bath had fallen behind inside the opening six minutes, Max Evans wrong-footing Abendanon with a bouncing down-field kick, before setting up his brother, Thom, to score the first of his three tries.

The hosts briefly took the lead when Beattie went over following a scrum. James' kick ahead was chased down by Matt Banahan, forcing Max Evans to ground the ball in his in-goal area and concede a five-metre scrum.

Bath's pressure at the set-piece forced Glasgow back, and Beattie picked up to power over, with the television official confirming the score.

The lead lasted little more than two minutes, Thom Evans sliding between James and Stephenson to add a second Glasgow try.

Bath, who introduced Berne for Tom Cheeseman at the break, made a flying start to the second half and had wracked up 10 points inside the opening 10 minutes.

Stephenson crossed for their second try, going over in the corner after his team had attacked with pace and width, with James adding the conversion and a penalty to make it 21-14. Glasgow roared back, though, with Rob Henderson's grubber baffling Stephenson, allowing Thom Evans to complete his hat-trick with the simplest of scores.

It was now 21-19 and Colin Gregor hit the post with his conversion attempt, before rattling the crossbar as he tried a drop-goal – and Bath looked as though they were in a genuine contest.

Their response was instant and positive, Stephenson making up for his earlier defensive lapses by taking James' pass to score out wide.

And when the rampaging Banahan broke and freed Berne for a 30-metre run-in, Bath looked in complete control at 35-19.

Glasgow had other ideas, securing their own try-scoring bonus point through Hefin O'Hare, before Abendanon's loose pass was intercepted by Jackson, who scored under the posts.

But Bath, as scruffy as their defensive effort may have been, held on to keep the heat on pool leaders Toulouse.

Bath: N Abendanon; M Stephenson (A Higgins 61), T Cheeseman (S Berne 41), E Fuimaono, M Banahan; B James, M Claassens (S Bemand 71); D Flatman, P Dixon (L Mears 57), M Stevens (A Jarvis 78), S Hooper, P Short (J Harrison 57), A Beattie, M Lipman (capt), D Browne (J Fa'matuainu 57).

Scorers: Tries – Beattie, Stephenson (2), Berne. Cons – James (3). Pens – James (3).

Glasgow Warriors: B Stortoni; L Fa'atau (J-M Nunez Piossek 78), M Evans, A Henderson, T Evans (H O'Hare 71); R Jackson, C Gregor (S Pinder 62); K Tkachuk (E Kalman 75), D Hall (E Milligan 68), E Kalman (M Low 44), T Barker, A Kellock (capt; D Turner 63), K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie (R Vernon 68).

Scorers: Tries – T Evans (3), O'Hare, Jackson. Cons – Gregor (2), Jackson.

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland). Att: 10,600