David Norris' first goal for Town gave Blues a share of the points at St Mary's after Stern John had put the home side ahead early in the second-half.

John fired into the top corner on 51 minutes after finding space in the Town box before Norris pulled Blues back on level terms four minutes later, cutting inside to score with his left foot.

Both sides could have won the game in a pulsating finish to the match with Alan Lee having the clearest opening but the striker was denied by a last ditch tackle from Wayne Thomas.

Pablo Counago returned to the starting line-up for Blues, David Wright also coming back into the side, with Alex Bruce and Danny Haynes making way.

Norris almost capitalised on a mistake by Thomas in the Saints' defence in the first five minutes but the ball just evaded him at the far post.

Counago's tame left foot shot was then comfortably dealt with by former Blue, Kelvin Davis in the home goal.

Jhon Viafara missed his kick in Saints' first opening, Marek Saganowski then going down under a challenge from Jason De Vos but Saints' appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Mike Russell.

Saganowski was then denied by De Vos' challenge on the edge of the box as Saints pressed for an opening.

Davis was quick off his line to clear from Counago following Jon Walters' pass, Counago then setting up Velice Sumulikoski on the edge of the home box but his shot went straight at Davis.

Chances were at a premium in the opening half, John seeing a shot deflected behind for a corner, then the Trinidad international saw another effort fall into Stephen Bywater's hands. Gregory Vignal fired over in the last action of a disappointing 45 minutes.

The game exploded into life straight after the restart, John finding space in the Town box to hold off De Vos and fire into the top corner on 51 minutes.

Blues responded immediately, Norris cutting in from the right and burying a left foot strike low past Davis and into the net.

Town's defence switched off for a second and Saganowski found space on the edge of the box but failed to take advantage, while at the other end Blues went close to grabbing the lead, Walters' shot almost diverted home by Counago.

Town replaced Tommy Miller with Owen Garvan on the hour mark as Jim Magilton freshened things up in midfield. Saints making their first change with David McGoldrick coming on for Saganowksi.

Both substitutes were soon in the thick of the action, Garvan warming Davis' hands with a 25 yard drive, McGoldrick flashing a shot past the near post.

Counago saw a header saved by Davis from Wright's cross, although the flag was raised for offside, the Spaniard then denied by resolute Saints' defending before being replaced by Haynes for the last 15 minutes.

John had a great chance to put Saints back in front following a flowing move and excellent cross by Vignal but the striker failed to find the net with a header from eight yards.

At the other end, Town had a gilt edged opening, Haynes' pace taking him clear but he failed to find the supporting Norris and the chance was gone. Bywater then saved brilliantly from Inigo Idiakez, the Saints midfielder  firing over with a left foot bulletfrom the resultant corner.

Alan Lee then could have won it for Town in but a moment's hesitation allowed Thomas to deny him with a terrific tackle inside the home box.

Idiakez's free-kick was blocked, Haynes almost broke clear, Andrew Davies had an effort hacked off the line, then Lee's cross was almost forced in by Walters in a frantic last 10 minutes when either side could have got the winner.

Southampton: Davis, Wright, Thomas, Davies, Vignal, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez, Licka, John (Baseya 90), Saganowski (McGoldrick 67). Subs not used: Hammill, Euell, Poke.

Town: Bywater, Wright, De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Norris, Sumulikoski, Miller (Garvan 62), Walters, Lee, Counago (Haynes 75). Subs not used: Colgan, Bruce, Trotter.

Att: 23, 299