BATH director of rugby Todd Blackadder was dealt a double blow as Taulupe Faletau suffered a knee injury during the 24-20 Champions Cup defeat at Toulon.

A moment of individual brilliance from Toulon's new France international Anthony Belleau atoned for Chris Ashton's howler, which almost gifted Bath a notable away win.

Playing at full-back for the French giants, former England wing Ashton handed the visitors a try in the 62nd minute with a complete miskick from behind his posts, which allowed Jonathan Joseph to snap up the ball and score.

Rhys Priestland's conversion made it 20-17 but Belleau, a 72nd-minute replacement for the injured Francois Trinh-Duc, put his side back in front with a kick-and-chase try from five metres out.

Wales and British and Irish Lions number eight Faletau injured his left knee at a ruck in front of his own posts when he was cleaned out in the 48th minute.

"I hope it's not the same knee as he injured last season, but it doesn't look good," said Blackadder.

Bath had the better of the first half thanks to two penalties from Priestland and a fabulous try from Anthony Watson, but having raced into a 10-point lead in the opening 14 minutes, Blackadder's side were hit with a try from Ma'a Nonu five minutes before half-time.

Toulon turned up the heat in the second half and, after Faletau was withdrawn, scrum-half Chris Cook was sent to the sin-bin for knocking the ball out of the hands of Duane Vermeulen.

Toulon scored from the resulting penalty scrum to take the lead before Ashton's blunder handed the initiative back to Bath, only for Belleau's moment of magic to seal victory and move the French giants three points clear of Bath at the top of Pool 5.

Blackadder believes the experience will serve his side well for next weekend's return fixture.

"We came here to do a job and when you put in so much effort, and the game was there for the taking, you are a little bit disappointed," admitted Blackadder.

"But we will build on that and we will be better next week. This pool is going to be wide open.

"I am really proud of my guys. We came to play and we did. We created a lot of chances.

"We had a good game plan and we created opportunities. It was an outstanding effort and I'm really encouraged by it and feel really positive.

"There are plenty of encouraging things we can build on for next week. Everyone really stepped up and delivered."