Bath coach Michael Foley believes have a huge task ahead of them to prevent relegation from the top flight in England.

Bath's 29-11 home defeat against Northampton on Saturday had left them with just five matches to try to turn their Premiership season around.

Only two of those remaining games are on home soil, and with difficult trips to London, Irish, Newcastle and Gloucester still ahead the future is far from rosy.

"The Second Division stares us in the face but none is turning away from this team," Foley said.

"We are all in this together, and I think that we can build with the team we've got.

"We showed a lot of fight out there today, and I was proud of the players, but we have lost the first game of what is now a six-game season.

"We need to maintain the fight that we showed today, and if we can win three more games then I believe that we would be in a good position.

"The players understand that they need to continue to work, and the way that they approached things today was absolutely first class."

Bath were without injured international backs Mike Catt, Kevin Maggs, Matt Perry, and there was also a rare second-half outing for former England full-back Iain Balshaw at fly-half.

Balshaw's confidence levels dropped alarmingly following last summer's Lions tour to Australia, where he failed to make an impact, but he showed some glimpses of his old self today.

"I am very pleased with Iain - that was the best game he has played since I have been at the club," Foley added.

"Iain had a go, he stood up and fought for the team."

While Bath continued to concentrate on their relegation battle, Northampton have now moved up into fifth place and are challenging for Heineken Cup qualification next season.

"Our improvements are down to the work ethic of the players - they are now giving it their best shot," said Northampton coach Wayne Smith.

"With the Powergen Cup final coming up, and a top four place to aim for, it is an exciting time."

Smith left England wing Ben Cohen on the bench until the second half and his arrival coincided with Northampton scoring three tries during the final 21 minutes from James Brooks, Dan Richmond and Peter Jorgensen

Fly-half Paul Grayson kicked 14 points, while Bath replied with a Tom Voyce try, plus a penalty apiece from Olly Barkley and Mike Tindall.