Southampton started life after Harry Redknapp with an unconvincing Coca-Cola Championship draw against Burnley at St Mary's.

Redknapp left his managerial post earlier in the day when it became "impossible for him to come back" after asking chairman Rupert Lowe for permission to speak to his former club - and Saints' rivals - Portsmouth.

With Dave Bassett in temporary charge and Dennis Wise shouting instructions from the technical area, the hosts took the lead through Danny Higginbotham before losing their cohesion and allowing Ade Akinbiyi to earn a point.

While managerless Southampton were considered candidates for promotion at the start of the season, it was Burnley who showed the resilience which has kept their unlikely top-six bid on course.

Reliant upon the pace of Theo Walcott, Saints struggled against a Clarets defence shorn of veteran John McGreal due to injury, and were punished on the counter-attack by Akinbiyi, who now has 13 goals this season.

Home fans celebrated Redknapp's departure with chants throughout and also voiced their disapproval of Lowe, although the team started brightly.

Kamil Kosowski was the first to test Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen, although his volley from outside the penalty area after three minutes was straight at the Danish stopper.

Brett Ormerod went close a minute later after latching onto a long Rory Delap throw, but the striker's shot was just wide.

The visitors attempted to counter-attack and they fashioned a chance after 15 minutes when Antti Niemi saved at the feet of John Spicer after James O'Connor had instinctively flicked the ball towards goal.

Despite the jeers, Walcott provided fans with a moment to cheer when he delightfully lifted the ball over Graham Branch before racing down the flank and getting his dangerous cross cleared.

Saints were ahead after 33 minutes through Higginbotham's confident penalty. Djamel Belmadi had forced a saved from Jensen after a sweeping move, and Delap sustained the momentum by racing into the area before getting hauled down by Micah Hyde.

Jon Harley drilled a free-kick wide for the visitors late in the half, before escaping caution for a lunge at Walcott. Spicer was booked, however, for dissent after a tame penalty appeal.

Matthew Oakley had a shot deflected wide early in the second period but it turned into a scrappy contest dictated by fouls and offsides, while Walcott showed immaturity in getting booked for kicking the ball away.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill attempted to change matters by bringing on striker Gifton Noel-Williams for Spicer, which gained swift reward.

Darren Powell allowed a steepling ball to bounce in the penalty area and Delap just managed to clear as Noel-Williams had a chance to shoot.

But the visitors were level five minutes later with a stunning move from the left flank. Branch created space by tricking Delap before curling in wicked cross which Akinbiyi headed home, despite the efforts of Niemi.

Saints responded by taking off Walcott and Ormerod for Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller - but neither could find a winner. In fact, it was Akinbiyi who was inches away from a winner in stoppage time.

Teams:

Southampton Niemi, Delap, Kenton, Powell, Higginbotham, Belmadi (McCann 74), Prutton, Oakley, Kosowski, Walcott (Jones 67), Ormerod (Fuller 67).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Cranie.

Booked: Walcott.

Goals: Higginbotham 34 pen.

Burnley Jensen, Lowe, Sinclair, Harley, Elliott, Hyde, Garreth O'Connor, James O'Connor, Spicer (Noel-Williams 60), Akinbiyi, Branch.

Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, McCann, Courtney, Grant.

Booked: Garreth O'Connor, Harley.

Goals: Akinbiyi 66.

Att: 21,592

Ref: B Curson (Leicestershire).