Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis was in superb form as he produced a man-of-the-match display to deny Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock victory over his former employees at Home Park.

Sturrock was dismissed after just 13 games in charge of Southampton in 2004 but his former side showed no sentimentality as they took the lead through Bradley Wright-Phillips early on.

Rory Fallon's volley levelled the score for the home side early in the second half but it was Davis who stole the show as he was in majestic form to deny the Pilgrims the winner in a second half full of chances for Sturrock's side.

Plymouth boss Sturrock threw new signing Steven MacLean straight into the Pilgrims' starting line-up despite only completing his move from Cardiff on Friday while there was also a place for returning midfielder David Norris.

The Pilgrims have been in unpredictable form since Sturrock took over from Ian Holloway at the end of November and went into the game having won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games.

Southampton were on the back of a two-game winning streak having beaten Scunthorpe last week and dumping Leicester out of the FA Cup the week before that.

Saints boss George Burley, who was granted permission to speak to the Scottish Football Association about the vacant Scotland manager's position this week, found no place in his squad for loan signing Stephen O'Halloran.

It was the home side who started the brightest and influential midfielder Norris carved out a chance for them to take the lead within four minutes.

Norris' delicate cross was met with an athletic header from Fallon but his effort missed the target.

That served as a wake-up call for Southampton and Burley's side began to find their feet to snatch the lead through former Manchester City striker Wright-Phillips in the 11th minute.

Swedish full-back Alexander Ostlund capitalised on a loose ball before threading through a well-timed pass for Wright-Phillips who raced clear of the defence before keeping his composure to chip goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

But the visitors were not allowed to sit on their lead as Sturrock's side pushed forward in an attempt to get one back before half-time.

And the Saints had keeper Davis to thank for maintaining their lead as he pulled off fantastic saves from Lilian Nalis, Luke Summerfield and Peter Halmosi.

The home side could have been forgiven for starting the second half downhearted after all their goal-mouth pressure counted for little at the end of the first period but whatever Sturrock said to his during the break seemed to have the desired effect.

The Pilgrims came out all guns blazing and soon had their reward with an equaliser three minutes after the re-start.

Hungarian midfielder Halmosi was the creator as his pull-back from the left was met by Fallon who volleyed home from a central position to deservedly level the scores.

The game became cagey after Fallon's strike and neither side seemed willing to seize the initiative and push for the lead but it was Plymouth who were now enjoying the lion's share of possession.

Half-chances for Halmosi and debutant MacLean were the nearest anyone came to finding the net again before more goalkeeping heroics from Davis kept the scores level.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Timar, Seip, Sawyer, Norris, Summerfield (Folly 68), Nalis, Halmosi, MacLean, Fallon.

Subs Not Used: Hodges, Easter, Jutkiewicz, Clark.

Goals: Fallon 49.

Southampton Davis, Ostlund (Thomas 78), Davies, Powell, Vignal, Hammill (Idiakez 58), Wright, Euell, Surman, Wright-Phillips, Rasiak (John 81).

Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Skacel.

Booked: Powell, Vignal, Davies, Rasiak.

Goals: Wright-Phillips 12.

Att: 14,676

Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).