BATH head coach Mike Ford conceded a difficult first 40 minutes contributed to his side's 31-24 defeat at reigning Aviva Premiership champions Northampton today.

Northampton ended Bath's 100 per cent league record this season after an intense battle.

An early penalty try and touchdown by flanker Calum Clark put Saints in the driving seat before second-half touchdowns from lock Christian Day and centre George Pisi sealed a bonus point win.

Fly-half Stephen Myler converted all four tries and kicked a penalty, but Bath - 45-0 conquerors of Leicester last weekend - did not go quietly as they scored tries by prop David Wilson, wing Olly Woodburn and substitute front-row forward Nick Auterac, with George Ford booting a penalty and three conversions.

And the visitors almost delivered a fourth try with just two minutes remaining, driving over Northampton's line, but television match official Rowan Kitt ruled the ball had not been grounded after Saints skipper Dylan Hartley appeared to get his body in the way of an attempted Bath score.

Ford said: "It was a very tough first half.

"We had Luke Arscott sin-binned early on and they got 14 points, which was a tough place to come back from.

"We dominated the last 25 minutes. We were over the line at the end, but it was our fault. We should have put the ball down earlier.

"Once we got into the game, we looked dangerous. We are getting there and the last 25 minutes showed what a good side we are going to be."

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder said: "When you score four tries agianst Bath, that is good going.

"Where I was disappointed was that we let them back into the game and that is an area we probably need to sharpen up on.

"Bath are a very good team. We were probably fortunate in the end that Dylan Hartley got under that last maul.

"We worked our way into a good lead, then we probably switched off a little bit. We defended as individuals and a team like Bath are going to take those opportunities.

"Dylan was key at the end. I thought overall he had a really good game. His set-piece play was very good."

England hooker Hartley added: "We watched the Bath game last week, but I don't think you can look too far into it. Sometimes you have a bad day at the office. I can guarantee you that Saints this season will have a game when everything will go wrong."