Leeds guaranteed their place in the Premiership by snatching an unlikely victory six minutes into injury time. Replacement prop Matt Holt plunged over and Gordon Ross added the conversion to deny Bath an automatic place in the Heineken Cup. They still qualify because the Tykes can now take up their European place after winning the Powergen Cup.
For much of the game the Tykes were under pressure and for most of the second half rarely got out of their own half, but over the last month they have shown incredible resilience and it was that never-say-die attitude that won them this game.
A scrappy first half did not produce any rugby of note. Leeds always looked to run the ball but their skills levels and some of their decision-making was poor. They were also under pressure in the line-outs, but despite their dominance in that area Bath's contributions were limited.
They notched the first points through a drop goal from Chris Malone, and the fly-half was involved in their one positive attacking move. He skipped through a couple of tackles but he had no support and couldn't beat Diego Albanese. However Bath did move further ahead with a penalty from Olly Barkley just before half-time.
Things didn't get much better in the second half although a sustained period of pressure from the home side should have brought a try. But a combination of resolute defence and Bath's lack of cutting edge kept the visitors' line intact.
With five minutes remaining, Leeds managed a foray upfield and won a penalty that Ross kicked to make it 6-3. It looked as though neither side would manage a try but good work by Jon Dunbar and Alan Dickens conjured up a dramatic late score for Holt.
BATH Perry; Williams, Cheeseman, Barkley, Welsh; Malone, Wood (Walshe 61); Barnes, Humphreys (Mears 29), Bell, Hudson, Grewcock (capt), Lewis, Scaysbrook, Delve.
Pen: Barkley Drop: Malone
LEEDS Albanese; Snyman; Christophers, Bell, Biggs; Ross, Dickens; Shelley, Regan (Rawlinson 56), Kerr (Holt 45), Hooper (capt), Morgan, Rigney (Dunbar 65), Parks (Hyde 45), Popham.
Try: Holt Con: Ross Pen: Ross
Referee: S Lander.
Attendance: 10,500
