Matt Le Tissier inspired Southampton to a precious victory which may secure another season of top flight football for the Premiership's undisputed escape act champions.

Le Tissier became 'Super Sub' as his 70th minute introduction galvanised the Saints. Almost immediately the man English football forgot was at his imperious best, acting as the catalyst for two precious second half strikes for the South Coast club.

Southampton's dire away form hardly filled manager Dave Jones with confidence on arrival at Selhurst Park.

The Saints boasted just six goals and seven points from their away days this season and knew their fragile Premiership status depended on a positive result.

However, Wimbledon pride themselves in their image as spoilers and were in no mood for favours despite their mid-table security.

Wimbledon striker Carl Cort enjoyed the best of the early opportunities only for Saints keeper Paul Jones, who returned from a back problem, to athletically deflect his rasping goalbound drive.

Moments later Carl Leaburn was denied from six yards as Jones, his job on the line, frantically waved and yelled from the dugout.

The visitors eventually found their feet but were repeatedly guilty of lacking the final killer ball to split Wimbledon's well drilled defence.

The Dons have won just once in 19 games and have seemed a shadow of their former selves since manager Joe Kinnear was forced to take extended leave following a heart attack earlier in the season at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, their ability to frustrate remains intact, even as Neil Sullivan's goal came under increasing pressure.

Saints captain Jason Dodd was the creative force behind most of the visitors' attacking endeavour as Wimbledon allowed him free reign on the wing.

But it was Hassan Kachloul who came closest to breaking the deadlock as he unleashed a blistering powerhouse drive that whistled past the post of a beleaguered Sullivan.

Wimbledon rallied with Robbie Earle always looking dangerous but it was Southampton who had the most to regret at half-time.

They finally managed to break down the Dons resilience late in the first half when Claus Lundekvam's downward header was steered over Sullivan by James Beattie.

It summed up their season when the celebrating dugout spotted the offside flag.

Southampton continued their dominance after the break but their lightweight forward partnership rarely looked like breaking down the Dons.

But it was the introduction of Le Tissier that changed the course of the match and the Saints season.

Through thick and thin Le Tissier has stood loyally by the South Coast club. Despite being courted by the big names, he has never once turned his back on the team which gave him his big break.

Dropped by Jones at the beginning of the season Le Tissier produced a performance which may single handedly save his own job.

Within three minutes of making his entrance the mercurial Saint whipped in a crucial pinpoint cross which Beattie headed home to the relief of the visiting faithful.

Sensing safety Southampton upped the tempo as Le Tissier caused constant headaches for the Dons defence.

A series of dangerous in-swinging corners made Sullivan's life uncomfortable and it wasn't long before Kachloul steered the ball past the hapless Dons keeper to secure the points.

Teams:

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Perry, Blackwell, Earle, Roberts, Leaburn, Kennedy, Cort, Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Hughes, Heald, Jupp, Francis, Agyemang.

Booked: Roberts.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Marsden (Beresford 76), Lundekvam, Monkou, M. Hughes, Benali, Beattie, D. Hughes (Le Tissier 70), Kachloul (Hiley 86), Pahars.

Subs Not Used: Ostenstad, Moss.

Booked: Marsden.

Goals: Beattie 72, Le Tissier 84.

Att: 24,068

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).