A Matt Le Tissier header lifted Southampton's spirits and boosted their relegation battle against a lack-lustre Sheffield Wednesday.

The England midfielder has lit up The Dell with spectacular goals during his reign on the south coast.

But the close-range header which sank the Owls could prove as vital as any goal he has scored for the Saints.

Dave Jones' team have now won their last five home games in the Premiership and have a glimmer of light at the end of a long dark season spent in the relegation drop zone.

Luck may be chancing for the Saints. The victory over Wednesday ended a 29-year run without a win against the Yorkshire club at The Dell and the Premiership strugglers were well worth the three points.

They played with gusto from the outset, looking primed for the battle ahead between now and May. They enjoyed the better of the first half.

Mark Hughes, still in search of his elusive first goal for the Saints since his summer switch from Chelsea, almost broke the deadlock in the eighth minute.

Typifying the strength of spirit with which Southampton had opened, the Welshman seized on a loose ball on the edge of the area and rifled a shot goalward, which Pavel Srnicek saved at full stretch.

Sheffield-born Chris Marsden also went within a whisker of opening the scoring before Le Tissier struck. Marsden combined with Le Tissier and crashed a left foot shot past Srnicek only to see it rebound off the post. Des Walker was on hand to hoist the ball to safety.

Wednesday had little rhythm going forward in the first half but they held solid at the back until minutes before the interval despite losing England defender Andy Hinchcliffe in the 20th minute.

The full-back, named in Kevin Keegan's squad to face Poland next week, collided with Saints keeper Paul Jones on a foray up front. He needed lengthy treatment and returned gingerly but was soon replaced by Dejan Stefanovic.

The Owls defence was finally breached with Le Tissier struck the crucial blow in the 42nd minute.

Matthew Oakley crossed from the left wing and the England international was able to lead unchallenged at the back post to chalk up his sixth of the season.

Southampton could have sealed the game after the break with a series of chances.

Hughes went close twice, Le Tissier came within inches of scoring with a trademark free-kick and Srnicek made a top class stop from a low drive by Hassan Kachloul.

Egil Ostenstad should have done better with two chances which came his way. The Norwegian had a shot saved by Srnicek and completely misjudged a free header in front of goal.

Petter Rudi came closes for the visitor's. He grazed the crossbar with a fizzing drive after confusion in the Saints defence in the second half.

Jones produced a reflex save to deny Benito Carbone and Ken Monkou made a vital challenge on Andy Booth in front of goal.

Danny Wilson's side rallied briefly in search of an equaliser but never really threatened to spoil the day for the Saints.

Teams

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Monkou, Lundekvam, Colleter (Benali 83), Le Tissier, Marsden, Oakley (Beattie 66), Kachloul, Hughes, Ostenstad.

Subs Not Used: Ripley, Bridge, Moss.

Booked: Le Tissier, Marsden.

Goals: Le Tissier 41.

Sheff Wed: Srnicek, Atherton, Thome, Walker, Hinchcliffe (Stefanovic 21), Sonner, Alexandersson, Jonk (Humphreys 85), Rudi, Carbone, Booth.

Subs Not Used: Newsome, Briscoe, Pressman.

Booked: Booth.

Att: 15,201

Ref: R Harris (Oxford).