Boss Joe Royle rated Southampton as the best side the Blues have faced this season and felt that Town rode their luck in gaining a 2-2 draw against the Saints. Royle had particular praise for Irish midfielder Owen Garvan who scored his first senior goal.

The Town manager said: "It was a fantastically exciting game but I hope we have not used up too much of our luck.

"Southampton are easily the best side we've played. If we are within five points of them at the end of the season I'll be delighted. Make no mistake about it, Southampton will be up there in May.

"We have got a point and have ridden our luck. On the other hand, we had chances. Dean Bowditch missed in front of goal and their keeper made the save of the season from Owen Garvan.

"Then Garvan took his goal exceptionally well and, at 17-years-old, we are quietly excited about him.

"It was a great game, although both teams will be unhappy at the manner of the goals they conceded."

Harry Redknapp wasn't entirely impressed with his strikers: "I have never seen a team create so many chances and then miss so many. If we still had [Peter] Crouch and [Kevin] Phillips up front we'd have won by seven.

"It was not a great point. In fact it was very much two points lost so far as we are concerned.

"We should have won comfortably. We played some tremendous football and three points were there for the taking."

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