If, as Joe Royle believes, Manchester City's Premiership fate will be decided by their home form then it looks increasingly likely they will be playing the likes of Grimsby next season.

Dan Petrescu's second goal for Southampton condemned City to their ninth defeat at Maine Road this season.

That is more than any of City's relegation rivals and is the main reason why they remain on course for a swift return back to the Nationwide League.

In total they have taken just 12 points from their 15 home games and City boss Royle knows that just is not good enough.

In his programme notes he had written: "I am still convinced that it is our home record that will eventually determine our fate."

Once again City enjoyed most of the play and created most of the chances, but could not find a way past impressive Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones.

City had begun positively against a Southampton side who had won their last three Premiership matches and had not conceded a league goal since New Year's Day.

The ever-lively Darren Huckerby created an early chance when he curled over a teasing cross from the left to Shaun Goater at the back post and the striker's header was parried by Jones.

In the main, though, both sets of fans had little to cheer during a dull opening on a heavily-marked surface.

The two teams were playing pass the parcel with the ball and neither could retain possession for more than a few seconds.

However, the City supporters did stir into action to chant Uwe Rosler's name as the Saints substitute and former Blues striker warmed up on the touchline.

Referee Jeff Winter handed City a promising opening when he advanced a free-kick 10 yards to just outside the Saints box and booked Tahar El Khalej for dissent.

But the Blues failed to capitalise on the opportunity and Huckerby shot into the wall.

Rosler duly came on after 30 minutes when he replaced the injured James Beattie, who had been kicked on his left ankle by Richard Dunne.

Rosler's introduction added some impetus to Southampton's lethargic attack and the visitors managed a rare assault on the City goal when Hassan Kachloul played in a dangerous cross, which was cleared by Danny Granville before Matthew Oakley could pounce.

At the other the end, the energetic Danny Tiatto stung Jones' hands with a well-struck free-kick from just over 35 yards out.

Southampton finally ended the tedium when they broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with their first shot on target.

Gerard Wiekens could only head a right-wing cross straight up into the air and when the ball dropped to Petrescu 15 yards out, he scored with a sweet right-foot volley into the far corner.

City responded by making a double substitution and on came Egil Ostenstad and Laurent Charvet for Granville and Huckerby.

However, it was Southampton who came closest to scoring again when Rosler just missed the target with a diving header from Kachloul's right-wing cross.

City finally launched their comeback with 20 minutes remaining and Jones saved well from Alfie Haaland before City had an effort from a Tiatto corner disallowed for pushing.

Jones then palmed away a Wiekens effort for a corner a minute before Petrescu survived a penalty appeal for handball.

It was now kitchen sink time for City and midfielder Tony Grant joined their frantic search for an equaliser when he fired over from 15 yards out.

Despite some huffing and puffing, that was just about it from City and at the final whistle Southampton were left celebrating their first Premiership win over the Blues.

Teams:

Man City: Weaver, Tiatto, Dunne, Howey, Granville (Charvet 59), Kanchelskis, Wiekens, Grant, Haaland, Goater, Huckerby (Ostenstad 59).

Subs Not Used: Prior, Dickov, Nash.

Booked: Howey.

Southampton: Jones, Lundekvam, Richards, El Khalej, Marsden, Oakley, Draper, Bridge, Petrescu (Tessem 80), Kachloul (Davies 90), Beattie (Rosler 30).

Subs Not Used: Moss, Monk.

Booked: El Khalej.

Goals: Petrescu 55.

Att: 33,990

Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).