Youngster Andrew Surman inspired Southampton to only their ninth home win of the season as they signed off at St Mary's with a win that at least papers over the cracks of a troubled Coca-Cola Championship campaign.

Amid the much-publicised defection of manager Harry Redknapp, the off-field chaos created by the appointment of director of football Sir Clive Woodward and a dramatic slump in form, it has been a baptism of fire for the Saints on their return to the second tier of English football.

But in the shape of a young band including the likes of Nathan Dyer, Kenwyne Jones and Surman the signs are that they do at least have hope for the future and the latter in particular produced a superb performance to ensure that was the overriding theme of the day.

The 19-year-old midfielder was at the hub of everything which was good about the Saints, creating one and scoring the other as Leicester were sunk by a quickfire double midway through the first half.

He crossed for Ricardo Fuller to open the scoring after 22 minutes before the Jamaican returned the favour three minutes later to settle the issue.

Those expecting these two mid-table dwellers to serve up typical end-of-season fare would at least have been pleasantly surprised as the Saints looked bright and busy early on.

It took them just six minutes to go within a whisker of an early breakthrough when the inventive Dyer cut in from the right and struck a powerful shot against the post.

Leicester replied with a drilled Stephen Hughes effort that flew just off target.

But it was Surman who was running the show and in the space of three minutes midway through the half he put the home side firmly in control.

The Johannesburg-born prospect has been a real positive for George Burley's side since returning from a loan spell at Bournemouth earlier this season and he showed just why he has been highlighted for a big future as he carried the ball down the left after 22 minutes and floated in a cross for Fuller to score.

And barely had the Foxes had time to draw breath before they were further behind as the pair combined again, the Jamaican this time laying the chance on a plate for his strike partner to confidently convert from 12 yards

Leicester were struggling to get their passing game going and a shot from Matt Fryatt which was blocked by Claus Lundekvam was as close as they came to a response before the interval.

They started the second half with a little more purpose and another Fryatt effort provided a warning that there was still life in the Foxes yet.

In truth, though, the visitors lacked the cutting edge to ever pose a real problem for Kevin Miller in the Saints goal.

Hughes was busy and bright from the heart of midfield as ever and his 67th-minute angled effort briefly had Miller worried.

But Southampton were happy enough to play keep ball and smother the midfield as they took their foot off the gas.

The one sour note was an injury to Lundekvam as he was forced off to be replaced by Martin Cranie seven minutes from time - but by that stage the hosts had done more than enough.

Teams

Southampton Miller, Ostlund, Lundekvam (Cranie 84), Baird,Bale, Dyer, Wright, Potter (Prutton 75), Surman,Fuller (Jones 81), Rasiak.

Subs Not Used: Smith, McGoldrick.

Booked: Dyer.

Goals: Fuller 22, Surman 25.

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, McCarthy, Johansson,Tiatto (Hammond 81), Maybury, Williams (Sylla 45), Hughes,Welsh (O'Grady 61), Hume, Fryatt.

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Gerrbrand.

Booked: McCarthy, Johansson.

Att: 26,801

Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).