Alan Lee scored twice on his Town away debut to give the Blues a deserved 2-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's. The recent £100,000 acquisition from Cardiff put Town in front in the fourth minute and then on 89 wrapped the game up.

The Blues were largely unchanged from the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield United last week, the only switch being Jim Magilton for Ian Westlake in midfield. The skipper played wide on the right with Jimmy Juan and Owen Garvan in the centre and Gavin Williams on the left. Darren Currie played the role between Alan Lee and the midfielders.

Shane Supple tipped Dexter Blacktock's header wide in the third minute and there was a scare for the Blues from the corner, when former Canary Darren Kenton's shot deflected across the six-yard box but to safety.

Town went straight up the other end and scored the opening goal. Garvan played in Lee on the right of the area, the Irishman holding off a defender and confidently smashing the ball across Paul Smith and into the net sending the Town following wild.

On 11 Richard Naylor got his name in the book for a foul on Rory Delap and referee Steve Tanner was at the centre of the action again five minutes later when Alan Lee complained that he had been pulled back inside the area by Darren Powell. Lee eventually took his protests too far and received a caution.

A number of Town players were unhappy with Darren Kenton's elbow-led aerial challenge on Gavin Williams in the 18th minute but referee Tanner failed to see a foul.

Williams needed more treatment five minutes later after a clash with Djamel Belmadi left both players with injured knees. Williams's problem was considered too serious for him to continue and Matt Richards came on to take his place.

Richard Naylor headed a Jim Magilton corner over the bar in the 26th minute, then the Town defender made a superb saving challenge inside his own area on a breaking Marian Pahars.

Jimmy Juan's header from a Darren Currie corner was headed away from inside the six-yard box as the Blues enjoyed much the better of the possession, out-passing George Burley's side, and created a few chances.

Dexter Blackstock sent a rare Saints strike well wide, just prior to forcing Juan into a desperate tackle just outside the area, the Frenchman picking up Town's third yellow card. Danny Higginbotham's freekick flew wide of Shane Supple's right-hand post.

Supple was again in action as the half drew to a close, claiming a low Kenton cross ahead of Pahars.

The Blues were well worth their lead at the break, playing much the better football and having had several opportunities to score a second.

Half-time was dominated by a very vocal protest against Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, a large banner covering the section of home fans in the same stand as the travelling Blues, many of whom lent their voices to the cause.

Shane Supple saved a Marian Pahars shot in the 51st minute as the home side went looking for an equaliser. At the other end, Jason De Vos headed a Currie corner over.

Darren Powell picked up the first Southampton yellow card of the game for a foul on Alan Lee, shortly before the Town striker managed to get to the ball above keeper Paul Smith but nodded the ball just over the bar.

Nigel Quashie's late tackle on Scott Barron earned him a yellow card and one or two comments from unimpressed Town players in the 64th minute, referee Tanner acting quickly to prevent a possible flare-up.

The home side were enjoying more possession during the second period with the Blues happy to sit back and catch them on the break. Lee came close to a second goal after the excellent Matt Richards found him with a cross from the right, the Ireland international getting his head to the ball but hitting the advancing Paul Smith at point-blank range.

Supple saved Matt Oakley's shot after a corner was cleared to the midfielder five yards outside the area. With four minutes remaining, Darren Kenton became the latest player to get his name in the referee's book for a foul on Lee.

One minute from the end of normal time, Town's new frontman scored his second goal of the game. The former Rotherham and Cardiff man received a ball to feet and turned his defender before taking the ball on into the area and lashing a shot beyond Smith the seal the victory.

Lee came close to completing his hat-trick in injury time, the 27-year-old heading Matt Richards's corner goalwards, keeper Paul Smith doing well to tip the ball over the bar.

A thoroughly deserved win for Joe Royle's resurgent Blues against a Southampton team looking a pale shadow of the side which was so impressive in the 2-2 draw earlier in the season, with Dennis Wise's influence very much missed.

Town controlled most of the first half, played some slick football and created a number of chances. The second half was more a case of the Blues sitting on the lead and trying to catch the home side on the break. George Burley's team were much like his Town side on their poorer days; enjoying a lot of possession but failing to look dangerous.

Alan Lee was once again impressive, taking his goals with confidence, making intelligent runs, winning the ball in the air, showing some clever touches with his feet and looks to be an absolute steal at £100,000.

At the back, Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor were excellent, particularly in the second half, while the midfield ran most of the game, particularly in the first half. Matt Richards again did well after coming off the bench.

A few more away performances like this one and a late and unexpected play-off challenge may well be on the cards.

Town: Supple, Wilnis, Barron, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton (Westlake 62), Juan, Williams (Richards 23), Garvan, Currie, Lee. Unused: Price, Haynes, Sito. Att: 22,250.

Photo: Action Images

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