Town will feel it was two points lost rather than one gained after drawing 2-2 at Southampton. Andrew Surman put the home side in front but the Blues hit back through Owen Garvan and Alan Quinn with Tomas Pekhart equalising for the Saints.

Boss Jim Magilton made two changes from the team which beat Reading on Saturday. David Norris came in for his first start of the season for Pablo Couñago and Pim Balkestein took over from the injured Gareth McAuley. Norris started the game wide on the right with Jon Walters joining Jon Stead up front.

Walters shot over in the fourth minute after Jon Stead had held off a defender just outside the area. Southampton enjoyed a lot of early possession, passing the ball around slickly but mainly in their own half, before the Blues began to take control.

Simon Gillett went wide with a shot in the 11th minute, but soon after the home side went in front. Andrew Surman hit what looked like a speculative effort from just outside the area on the Southampton left, Richard Wright appeared to be either unsighted or caught out by the bounce and failed to reach what looked like a very saveable strike.

Quinn stung Kelvin Davis's hands with a 25-yard shot on 15, then hit another effort to the former Town keeper moments later. Town had by now switched to 4-5-1 with Norris moving inside and Walters going to his wide right role.

The Blues got back on terms on 19. Moritz Volz and Jon Walters interchanged passes on the right, the former Chester man laying the ball back to David Norris, whose shot was blocked by Kelvin Davis's foot. Walters sent the ball back in to the six-yard box from where Owen Garvan slammed home with his right foot.

As against QPR on Sunday, Kelvin Davis was in fine form. On 23 the keeper rushed out to force Walters wide, then got into position to save a shot from Stead when the ball fell into the new signing's path. From the resultant corner, the ball was cleared out to Tommy Miller, whose shot was flicked on by Richard Naylor, Davis pushing the ball on to the bar.

The game was by now being played almost entirely in the Southampton half and in the 27th minute Stead headed in from a Walters cross but the linesman's flag had already been raised.

Moments later, Walters was flagged offside when through on goal when he appeared to be onside. A similar incident at the other end saw David McGoldrick get the benefit of the linesman's doubt, but failed to get the ball under control.

Town had dominated much of the half, but as the break approached the home side started to come more into the game. On 42 a combination of Naylor and Balkestein blocked a shot from McGoldrick.

The Blues had had the better of the first half, the Southampton goal coming against the run of play. Town deserved their equaliser after which they had much the better of the game but failed to turn that domination into goals.

During the break Southampton stewards opened a larger section of seats for Town fans in the Northam Stand, the small area initially open to travelling supporters appearing to have more fans than seats during the first half.

Pim Balkestein almost gifted the home side a goal in the opening minute of the second half. The Dutchman allowed the ball to run across him from a throw-in, unaware that Nathan Dyer was behind him. The winger rather snatched at his shot and sent the ball well over. It was a lucky escape for the Blues.

Town went in front in the 49th minute. Garvan played the ball wide to Volz and the German sent in a deep cross which Alan Quinn headed into the net at the far post.

Lloyd James prevented Quinn from scoring a second a few minutes later when he got in ahead of the Irishman to put a Jon Walters cross out of play. From the corner, Richard Naylor headed wide.

An excellent interchange of passes between Stead and Norris led to the striker slipping the ball past Davis in the 57th minute, but the linesman in front of the Itchen Stand, who seemed unwilling to give a decision in Town's favour throughout the game, flagged for offside.

Volz was yellow-carded for a foul, then Balkestein had a well-struck shot blocked after a corner had fallen to him on the edge of the area.

The Saints got back on terms in the 68th minute. Richard Naylor appeared to catch his studs in the turf 10 yards outside the area and lost possession. The club captain looked to have twisted a knee or ankle and was left on the ground as Southampton broke, Tommy Miller's tackle failing to win the ball which eventually fell to Tomas Peckhart inside the area, the on-loan Spurs man beating Richard Wright. Before the kick-off, Veliche Shumulikoski replaced Tommy Miller.

Town had failed to make their domination of half tell with the Southampton goal coming very much against the run of play. Jon Walters went looking for the third goal, forcing Davis to parry his shot, the ball falling behind Stead. Kevin Lisbie and Pablo Couñago replaced Stead and Norris as the Blues switched back to 4-4-2 for the final 18 minutes.

Walters hit a cross shot which no one got a touch, then Shumulikoski stuck a 25-yard shot too close to Davis.

On 73 Kevin Lisbie ought to have won the game for the Blues after being played in one-on-one with Davis by Couñago. The former Colchester man's first touch sent the ball too close to the keeper, the ball arriving at the feet of Couñago, who shot straight at Davis when he ought to have chipped the ball into the unguarded net.

Shumulikoski struck a 30-yard volley which failed to test Davis despite being on target in the 85th minute, but the Blues failed to create another chance of note. Walters and Balkestein picked up late yellow cards, while Kevin Lisbie claimed an unlikely penalty.

Town were the better side for much of the game, passing the ball around much as they had against Reading on Saturday. Southampton's youngsters passed similarly neatly but rarely showed much penetration and Jim Magilton won't be impressed with the manner in which either of the Saints' goals were conceded.

The Blues created enough chances to have settled the match at 2-1 and then again to go back in front at 2-2 and the home side will feel they did well to get a point from a game which Town ought to have won.

On the upside, the Blues again looked a much better side than in the games against Watford and Wolves with Moritz Volz and Jon Stead continue to look very useful additions. David Norris put in one of his best performances in a Town shirt, while Veliche Shumulikoski was impressive after coming off the bench.

Town: R Wright, Volz, D Wright, Naylor, Balkestein, Garvan, Miller (Shumulikoski 68), Quinn, Norris (Couñago 72), Walters, Stead (Lisbie 72). Unused: Campo, Supple. Att: 14,916.

Photo: Action Images

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