Coventry failed to secure the win that would have moved them out of the bottom three of the Premiership as Jo Tessem added to their worries with a second-half equaliser at Highfield Road.

David Thompson gave the Sky Blues the lead with a freak goal but their inability to hold on to that gift means they failed to move above fourth-bottom Derby, who now have a game in hand.

The harsh reality is that Coventry have won only two of their league matches since August.

Manager Gordon Strachan was given what amounted to a vote of confidence by the club's board of directors at Thursday's annual general meeting.

But the patience of some of the supporters appears to be wearing a bit thin and they greeted the substitution of busy midfielder Thompson with a crescendo of boos.

The former Liverpool player, who had just been booked, received a standing ovation while choruses of "you don't know what you're doing" were directed towards Strachan, who was again booed at the final whistle.

In fairness his side have probably not had the rub of the green in recent weeks, with Strachan happy with his side's general performances.

But this time they were given a helping hand of a crazy goal from Thompson and were still unable to hold on to their advantage against a Saints side well worthy of a share of the spoils.

Southampton weathered an early storm in which Mustapha Hadji was impressive for the home side and caused plenty of problems.

They created more than their fair share of problems for the home side, who had won at The Dell in August and also knocked Southampton out of the Worthington Cup.

Hadji twice went close to breaking the deadlock in the space of 60 seconds in the first 10 minutes.

The Moroccan was only just off target with a shot from a narrow angle which flew into the sidenetting after Thompson had sent over a low right-wing centre.

Then Hadji saw his shot from the edge of the area take a wicked deflection off Southampton defender Claus Lundekvam but goalkeeper Paul Jones was able to readjust and turn his effort around the post.

After that early flurry of activity it was Southampton, seeking only their second away win of the campaign, who started to look the more threatening.

Chris Marsden should have done better with a header when unmarked following a Mark Draper cross and then Tessem was guilty of a dreadful miss.

A corner from Hassan Kachloul was flicked on by Lundekvam at the near post and Tessem headed wide from barely two yards out.

Coventry keeper Chris Kirkland, deputising for the injured Magnus Hedman, looked jittery when trying to deal with the constant string of crosses sent into the box.

He had a let-off when Barry Quinn headed inches wide of his own post after a mix-up when he came out too far to try and deal with a centre from Kachloul.

Kachloul then sliced his shot hopelessly wide when well placed after James Beattie had sent a Wayne Bridge free-kick into his path.

But Coventry then broke the deadlock with that outrageous effort from Thompson 11 minutes before the interval.

He sent over an inswinging free-kick from the touchline and Jones looked to be put off by the run across him by Hadji as he allowed the ball to skid past him into the corner of the net.

Coventry seemed to take heart from their slice of good fortune and then Jones was forced to tip over a header from Cedric Roussel.

The Saints came back into the game towards the interval and Kirkland did well to beat away a fierce effort from Tessem.

Strachan was forced to reshuffle for the second half with Roussel, who appeared to have a hamstring injury, replaced by Youssef Chippo.

But it was Southampton who got back on level terms in the 51st minute with Tessem's fourth goal of the campaign.

Bridge made a decisive break down the left before feeding Beattie and his centre found the onrushing Tessem completely unmarked at the far post.

The Norwegian had time to steady himself before giving the exposed Kirkland no chance with a downward header.

Strachan brought on Peruvian striker Ysrael Zuniga and he almost won the game with a low shot which cannoned back off a post four minutes from time.

But at the other end Tessem nearly snatched victory for the Saints with a shot which was deflected inches wide.

Teams:

Coventry: Kirkland, Breen, Konjic, Williams, Quinn, Thompson (Eustace 75), Carsley, Telfer, Bellamy (Zuniga 69), Hadji, Roussel (Chippo 45).

Subs Not Used: Edworthy, Hydlgaard.

Booked: Thompson.

Goals: Thompson 33.

Southampton: Jones, El Khalej, Lundekvam, Richards, Bridge, Tessem, Draper, Gibbens (Davies 69), Marsden, Kachloul, Beattie.

Subs Not Used: Dodd, Rosler, Moss, Soltvedt.

Booked: Draper.

Goals: Tessem 51.

Att: 18,090.

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).