Southampton and Middlesbrough kept their heads just above the relegation
dogfight - but had to settle for a share of the spoils at The Dell.
Marian Pahars had given the home side the lead with a stunning strike on 44
minutes, the Latvian international cutting in from the right before curling an
unstoppable left foot shot past Mark Schwarzer.
But within seconds the visitors were level, Hamilton Ricard winning and
converting a controversial penalty in stoppage time with Claus Lundekvam
adjudged to have pulled back the Colombian in the area.
Southampton had made a bright start against Boro in a match billed by Saints
boss Glenn Hoddle as a "relegation six-pointer" despite encouraging recent
results for both clubs that had eased immediate relegation worries.
The former England manager was forced to make three changes from the side
defeated at Arsenal last week with Wayne Bridge replacing Patrick Colleter and
Lundekvam stepping in for Dean Richards after passing a morning fitness test on
his thigh injury.
Pahars was also in for James Beattie despite being doubtful with a hamstring
injury and there was no sign of the problem in a number of surging early runs
that caused the Boro defence all kinds of problems.
The home side created the first chances from one such run, Matthew Oakley's
centre falling to Hassan Kachloul only for Steve Vickers to clear just as the
Moroccan prepared to shoot.
Boro were also forced to shuffle the side that drew at home to Leeds last
week, Vickers coming in for Gianluca Festa and Brian Deane making his first
start in eight games in place of Andy Campbell.
Christian Ziege endured an unhappy afternoon in an unfamiliar role as left
wing-back, booked for a foul on Kevin Davies and then being forced off after
only 17 minutes feeling the effects of a virus.
Dean Gordon replaced the German international, his first appearance since
August after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.
The home side almost took the lead shortly after the substitution, Schwarzer
pulling off a superb reaction stop from Tessem's header following a Jason Dodd
cross and Colin Cooper hacking the rebound clear.
Middlesbrough were playing their part however in an open, entertaining game
with Ricard coming close within seconds at the other end.
Francis Benali, playing out of position at centre half, allowed a low cross to
drift past him unaware that Ricard was lurking dangerously but the Colombian
spared his blushes by blasting over under a challenge from Bridge.
Cooper became the second player into referee Steve Dunn's notebook five
minutes before the interval for a foul on Tessem and the half looked destined to
end goalless, Neil Maddison blasting over against his former club and Schwarzer
in brilliant form at the other end.
The Australian again came to Boro's rescue just before half time with a
brilliant reaction stop from Kachloul's shot after the Moroccan had profited
from a defensive slip by Pallister in the area.
But there was nothing the goalkeeper could do about Pahars' sublime opener in
frantic finish to the opening period.
The Latvian received Dodd's ball on the right edge of the area and cut sharply
inside before curling a superb left foot shot into the far corner.
However Boro were level while the home fans were still celebrating, Lundekvam
adjudged to have pulled back Ricard in the area.
The home players and fans protested furiously but referee Dunn was unmoved and
Ricard stepped up himself to level the scores from the spot.
The Colombian left the field to a chorus of boos with a plastic bottle also
appearing to be thrown onto the pitch from the fans clearly irate at his part in
the penalty decision.
Pahars' pace was still causing problems in Boro's ageing defence in the second
period and a cheeky nutmeg of Cooper set up Davies to curl a left foot effort
past the upright.
Summerbell and Deane then added to a rather one-sided yellow card count as the
game became bogged down in midfield, neither side able to create a clear cut
chance.
Juninho wasted Boro's best chance on 70 minutes after a one-two with Ricard
had set the Brazilian clear.
Lundekvam gave chase but Juninho was still clear as he raced into the penalty
area but as Jones came from his line to meet him Juninho screwed his shot well
wide.
Pahars tried an ambitious effort from 30 yards out - perhaps a sign of Saints'
frustration at not turning ample possession into genuine chances in the second
half.
Hoddle brought on Luis Boa Morte to try and find the breakthrough but the
former Arsenal forward was more danger at the other end getting caught in
possession trying to dribble out from his own area.
Boro boss Bryan Robson seemed happy with a point - bringing on Robbie Mustoe
for Juninho in the closing minutes - and that was what both sides duly had to
settle for as the game petered out to a disappointing climax.
Teams
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Benali, Bridge, Oakley,
Marsden, Tessem, Kachloul (Boa Morte 75), Pahars, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Monk, Soltvedt, M. Hughes, Moss.
Goals: Pahars 44.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Cooper, Pallister, Vickers,
Summerbell, Juninho (Mustoe 84), Maddison, Ziege (Gordon 17), Deane, Ricard.
Subs Not Used: Beresford, Campbell, Armstrong.
Booked: Ziege, Cooper, Summerbell, Deane.
Goals: Ricard 44 pen.
Att: 15,223
Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).
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