Toulouse 18 Bath 16: English Premiership leaders Bath suffered a heartbreaking last-minute Heineken Cup defeat at the hands of giants Toulouse despite outscoring the French champions two tries to none.

The home side had a three-point edge at half-time in south-west France, leading by two penalties from David Skrela to one from Butch James, with both fly-halves missing once in a hugely physical contest in which try-scoring chances were at a premium.

Skrela extended Toulouse's lead with a penalty three minutes into the second half but Bath hit back with the first try of the game — a 48th minute touchdown from Michael Claassens after skipper Michael Lipman charged down Byron Kelleher's attempted clearance.

The French number 10 put over two second-half penalties with James landing one to set up a grandstand finish, and Bath looked to have claimed a famous win when Nick Abendanon scored an unconverted try with three minutes to go.

But Bath were unable to hold on and Skrela eased Toulouse to a narrow two-point victory with the last kick of the game, clipping over a penalty.