Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann believes the belief they will take from their 27-23 comeback triumph over Bath will serve them well in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

THE Cherry and Whites were left stunned by a first-half blitz that saw Ruaridh McConnochie and Tom Dunn crash over in the opening 20 minutes.

But Danny Cipriani sprang into life to send Josh Hohneck over on the stroke of half-time before Ruan Ackermann's try breathed further life into the Gloucester fightback.

Cipriani then sparked a pair of unstoppable back-line moves for wingers Henry Purdy and Tom Seabrook to crash over in either corner to complete the stirring comeback.

And Ackermann says his side's character can help them upset the odds to take the Premiership title after an eight-year wait for a play-off appearance.

"We had our backs against the wall and to come back against a very good Bath side is credit to the character of this team," he said.

"We had a very low-key week because we couldn't afford another injury, Danny's decision came down to the warm-up.

"We showed that mental toughness and growth and belief within the squad.

"These wins are massive, we've always said this is what it's going to take at this level, it's so close and competitive.

"There are always going to be momentum swings and changes within a game, it's about how you get over that.

"There is a real calmness in the changing room. You aren't always going to get away with it, but at least we know we'll give ourselves a chance with the composure within the team."

Bath's faint hopes of reaching the top four now look to be over after they failed to resist the Gloucester comeback.

And head coach Todd Blackadder was left frustrated with the small errors that cost them an important triumph over their rivals.

"We started how we meant to and built a lot of pressure which was exactly the game plan we wanted," he said.

"There were a couple of little moments in that first half that cost us. With a minute on the clock we tried to claw our way out of there when we should have kicked it off the park.

"Moments like those hurt us, but it was one of the best first-half performances with and without the ball that I have seen."