Boss Jim Magilton felt his side, now without a goal for 566 minutes, were unlucky not to get something from their 1-0 defeat at Southampton. The Town manager concedes that the Blues are now in a relegation battle.

Magilton said: "On a run like we're on, you will find yourself in the relegation battle. What we've got to do is take away that fear factor and get the players believing they can win a game of football.

"We had a shocking start, and it's another game we've lost by the odd goal. It's the third game in a row we've given the other team a goal.

"I thought that would be the start of something for Southampton but, credit to my players, we kept going and I thought we dominated possession at times.

"We competed very well and I thought we were unlucky to come away with nothing again."

Saints boss George Burley hailed the result as a big one for his promotion-chasing side: "It was an important win. When you look at the league table, there are a lot of clubs vying for the play-off places.

"Lots of teams are dropping points and Sunderland are on a good run, so we really needed the three points. It keeps us in the top six, which is where we want to be.

"It was a great ball in from Gareth [Bale] and a great finish. For a man of his size, Marek [Saganowski] is very good in the air.

"We've got a lot of young strikers at this club and I felt we needed a bit more experience. And, sometimes, two big lads up front doesn't work so he gives us the right balance.

"Marek and Kenwyne are looking a good partnership and, at the moment, they've got the shirts, so it's up to the other players to work hard to get them back."

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