Football: NO END TO FAIL MARY'S FOR SAINTS

SOUTHAMPTON were left cursing another failure to win at their new St Mary's ground after a last-minute goal by Craig Hignett sent them to an agonising defeat.

And new Saints manager Gordon Strachan must be wondering what more his team have to do to notch that elusive first win.

Teams at the bottom of the table are not supposed to play this well, but in the three weeks since Strachan replaced Stuart Gray there is a new belief in this corner of the south coast that his team can find a way out of trouble.

With new signing Paul Williams outstanding at the back and Paul Telfer working non-stop in midfield, Southampton have some strength and creativity back in their team.

But what they lack is that ability to turn overall possession, excellent chances and control of a game into three points.

They were ahead through a first-half goal by Marian Pahars before a stunning equaliser by Blackburn's Turkish star Tugay brought the visitors level on the stroke of half-time.

But then after the break Southampton created four clear-cut chances to go in front - only to see Hignett steal in to grab the points in injury time.

Strachan has now gained only one point from his first three games in charge, but the expected arrival of David Wetherall from Bradford should provide more strength at the back.

Strachan was his usual excitable self, waving his arms and encapsulating the emotion he wants from his players.

The Saints boss put his team through a series of sprinting sessions last week.

And they certainly started in electric fashion, with Chris Marsden heading wide and then being denied by a fine save from Brad Friedel.

Telfer was everywhere, linking well with Marsden, and then in the 22nd minute James Beattie flicked the ball into the box only for Pahars' spectacular volley to be turned over by the keeper.

Then Beattie lobbed wide before, in the 36th minute, Southampton deservedly took the lead as Beattie flicked on a clearance from goalkeeper Paul Jones.

The ball found Pahars in the box and his shot deflected off Henning Berg and past the outstretched hands of Friedel.

It was all Southampton. Yet as the announcement was made for one minute of first-half injury time, Blackburn created their best move of the half.

It ended with David Dunn and Garry Flitcroft sharing a one-two before the ball went back to Tugay who unleashed a wonderful 25- yarder which flew into the top left-hand corner.

Southampton huffed and puffed after the break before getting back in their stride, Williams having a shot turned over by Friedel and then Pahars hit the ball straight at the big Yank.

But then in the final seconds, on a rare Blackburn break, Marcus Bent fed the ball through to Hignett who flicked it over Jones to secure Rovers' first away win of the season.

SOUTHAMPTON: Jones 7, Delap 6, El Khalej 7, Williams 7, Dodd 6, Telfer 6, Oakley 7, Marsden 8, Bridge 6, Beattie 6, Pahars 6.

BLACKBURN: Friedel 7, Neill 7, Berg 6, Johansson 6, Taylor 7, Gillespie 7, Flitcroft 7 (Hignett 6), TUGAY 9, Dunn 7, Jansen 7, Hughes 6 (Bent 6).

MANAGER RATINGS: Strachan 8; Souness 7.

REFEREE: A Wiley 6.

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