BATH director of rugby Mike Ford said his side should have kicked a late penalty to get a losing bonus point instead of going for a try in Leicester Tigers' 21-11 Aviva Premiership win.

Dan Cole's 74th minute try - only his second in six and a half years - clinched an improbable victory for Leicester who had been outplayed for much of the match.

The try, a scruffy one given by the TMO after a driving line-out, clinched victory and lifted Leicester two places to third.

Leicester outscored Bath two tries to one, Tonga winger Telusa Veainu's 35th minute interception try ensuring the Tigers turned round 11-15 up.

Fly-half Tommy Bell kicked 11 points while full-back Anthony Watson scored Bath's try with George Ford kicking two penalties.

But Ford said they paid the price for not being clinical, mistakes costing them the chance to end their Welford Road hoodoo. Their one win in 20 Premiership games came 12 years ago to the day, in 2003.

Ford said: "We will analyse it on Monday but the call was to go for goal.

"We are better than we showed today. I was disappointed to go in at half time losing. We were the better side and the interception was a turning point.

"We got back to 11-11 and had some great possession, position and opportunities to take the game by the scruff of the neck. We never took them."

Richard Cockerill, Leicester's director of rugby, said his side's guts earned them their 178th win out of 210 home Premiership matches.

He said: "I am delighted for the players that they found a way to win because we played pretty poorly at times. But our guts, attitude and trust got us over the finishing line."

Cockerill believes England scrum-half Ben Youngs will stay at Leicester despite reported overtures from Bath.

He said: They might be interested in him.... His dad played for this club, his brother plays for this club. Our discussions have been positive.

"He wants to see how the club is building. (Head coach) Aaron (Mauger) coming in is vital and there will be other players coming in. We want Ben to stay."