Saracens sealed an astonishing comeback to keep their Guinness Premiership season alive after a 20-16 win over Bath at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Sarries’ season appeared to be going from bad to worse after trailing 16-0 on the stroke of half-time. But Rodd Penney’s last-gasp try gave them hope going into the break. Alex Walker capped his first start by scoring in the second half before an astounding length of the field run by Penney gave the wing his second try of the match. Don Barrell came off the bench to score their fourth try three minutes from time and hand them a bonus-point victory. Amazingly, Saracens still missed 20 points from penalties and conversions after a horror show with the boot by Glen Jackson and Gordon Ross. But it did not matter as a remarkable win, against all the odds, demonstrated the resilience of the Saracens squad.

The Men in Black went into the match in complete disarray after director of rugby Eddie Jones left prematurely on Friday night. Richard Graham, also leaving in the summer, was put in charge until the end of the season as he tried to restore some stability to the club.

Hooker Walker was handed the opportunity to start for Sarries after a late injury to Matt Cairns. Penney was brought into the side after Noah Cato suffered a hamstring injury at Harlequins last week. Brad Barritt earned a recall at inside centre in place of Adam Powell. Kris Chesney and Tom Ryder were promoted to the side to beef up the second row at the expense of Hugh Vyvyan and Dave Seymour. Cobus Visagie was a late starter instead of Matias Aguero.

The visitors conceded a penalty in the second minute but Jackson horribly missed an easy kick from 30 yards out. Saracens’ bright opening to the game continued as Richard Haughton was denied just short of the line by a strong challenge by Nick Abendanon. The pressure on the Bath defence was maintained by a charge from Kameli Ratuvou which was thwarted by the opposition.

Saracens were given another penalty after seven minutes but this one was virtually on the half-way line. Incredibly, Jackson opted to kick for the posts but the result was another hopelessly wayward attempt. The hosts conceded their first penalty for offside and Butch James easily converted to hand Bath the lead.

To add to Sarries’ woes, Alex Goode, one of the stars of the season, was forced off through injury after 13 minutes with Adam Powell replacing him. Ratuvou was switched to the wing with Haughton reverting to full back.

Bath began to take control of the match and it was no surprise when they scored a try after 21 minutes. James’ clever chip kick found skipper Crockett and the centre raced clear to slide under the posts. James added the conversion to ease the visitors into a 10-0 lead.

The Men in Black were reduced to 14 men midway through the half when Chesney was given a yellow card for a clothesline on a Bath player. Bath’s dominance continued as they converted a simple penalty through South African James to extend their advantage. Bath conceded another penalty but Jackson’s awful afternoon got worse as he predictably blasted his kick wide of the posts.

Saracens collapsed the scrum which led to another Bath penalty. James maintained his 100 per cent accuracy in complete contrast to Jackson’s performance. Sarries gave themselves an outside chance of a comeback with a try in the final minute of the half. Justin Marshall’s pass reached Jackson and he layed the ball off for Penney to dive over in the left corner. But Jackson missed his fourth kick of the match to leave them trailing 16-5 at the break.

Sarries’ injury problems increased when Fijian Ratuvou was taken off at half-time for Gordon Ross. Jackson moved to full back with Ross playing at fly half. The Scot was handed kicking duties after the hosts were given another penalty. But Ross fared no better as his effort floated wide of the target.

The visitors thought they had scored a second try after 59 minutes. But Matt Banahan was harshly denied his score after referee Chris White ruled he had illegally challenge Haughton while jumping for the ball.

Seymour came on midway through the half for his 100th appearance for the club. Sarries added a second try after 64 minutes when Wikus van Heerden set up Walker for his first try for the club. However they failed to narrow the gap with a missed conversion by Ross.

The home side set up an enthralling finale after a breathtaking solo effort from Penney. The wing raced the whole length of the field and dived over the line to send the Fez Heads wild with ten minutes remaining. But Ross dragged a difficult penalty wide to leave Sarries one point down.

The Men in Black piled on the pressure in the hope of completing a memorable fightback but Ross’ drop-goal attempt narrowly missed the post.

Barrell completed a stunning comeback three minutes from time when the replacement raced away down the left and scored in the corner. After an agonising wait to see if the try was awarded the referee gave the decision and brought the roof off the home crowd.

Saracens: Goode (Powell, 13), Haughton, Ratuvou (Ross, HT), Barritt, Penney, Jackson, Marshall; Visagie (Aguero, 60, Seymour, 62), Walker (Kyriacou, 73), Mercey (Barrell, 65), Ryder, Chesney, Jack, Van Heerden, Skirving

Bath: Abendanon, Maddock (Higgins, 74), Crockett, Berne (Cheeseman, 68), Banahan, James, Bemand; Flatman, Hawkins, Bell, Harrison, Short (Beattie, HT), Hooper, Scaysbrook, Browne

Scoring: 0-3, 0-8, 0-10, 0-13, 0-16, 5-16, 10-16, 15-16, 20-16

Referee: Chris White