WORCESTER Warriors’ Aviva Premiership struggles continue after spurning opportunities to clinch a priceless victory at Sixways.

Replacement centre Ryan Mills and fly-half Tom Heathcote were both off target with late penalties for Warriors in a 16-14 defeat.

And, in a last-gasp onslaught, referee JP Doyle and his assistants missed Ross Batty’s deliberate knock-on on the Bath 15-metre line as Warriors piled on the pressure.

Ryan Lamb had a drop-goal attempt charged down and skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze was stopped short of the line in a frenetic and remarkable final passage of play.

Bath held on to seal a narrow win which eased their fears of being dragged into a scrap at the bottom of the table.

Ultimately, it was another defeat for Warriors – their 13th in succession in all competitions – against a weakened Bath side.

With Newcastle Falcons picking up an impressive win at Leicester Tigers, Warriors were relieved to hear about London Irish’s thrashing at Northampton Saints.

But this was another disappointing result for Worcester who looked dynamic and full of energy in the first half as they deservedly led 14-6 at the break.

Flanker Carl Kirwan broke the gain line repeatedly on his first Premiership start for Worcester and van Velze punched holes in Bath’s defence.

SWynand Olivier, so often a rock in Worcester’s midfield, helped to set up tries for Cooper Vuna and Donncha O’Callaghan – his first for the club.

Warriors have struggled to put 80-minute performances together this term and, once again, looked a different side after the interval.

Perhaps it’s a lack of confidence but instead of going through the phases and holding on to the ball, Worcester were guilty of booting away possession.

Bath, who were very poor in the first half, gave a much improved showing after the interval and took the game to Worcester for long periods as they dominated territory.

Tom Homer’s seventh-minute penalty, after a Nick Schonert indiscretion, fired Bath ahead against the run of play.

But Warriors stormed ahead when Olivier broke the gainline and found Pennell, who offloaded to Vuna to score in the corner. Heathcote added the touchline conversion.

Warriors soon had their second try, stemming from a poor kick from Bath scrum-half Niko Matawalu who had a torrid first half.

O’Callaghan finished off a smart move, taking a short pass from Olivier to dive over and Heathcote converted.

Homer added his second penalty before Bath attacked the Warriors line in the closing stages of the half and Adam Hastings was off target with a drop goal.

Bath were reduced to 14 men early in the second half after Max Clark’s outstretched leg tripped Bryce Heem. But the depleted visitors took heart.

Homer missed a penalty before Bath struck a crucial blow when replacement Jonathan Evens crossed the whitewash after Semesa Rokoduguni ripped the ball from Chris Pennell’s grasp in an aerial challenge.

Heathcote failed with a long-range penalty before Homer’s third three-pointer edged Bath in front. Mills and Heathcote missed penalties and Bath withstood a late onslaught after a spill had handed Warriors a five-metre scrum.