Sport

Dell boys fail to ease relegation worries

Southampton's failure to win this argument with their relegation rivals has placed an intolerable strain on their 21-year-old…

By MARTIN THORPE
Mon Apr 19 1999 - 01:00

Southampton's failure to win this argument with their relegation rivals has placed an intolerable strain on their 21-year-old marriage to the top flight. Pessimists are already citing irreconcilable differences.

Saints' home record had seen them drop five points in six months prior to playing Blackburn. By stark contrast they have managed just one win all season away from home.

But on Saturday even that domestic bliss faltered, which means that to stay in the Premiership this season Dave Jones's side must now do what they find hardest: win away. They have two opportunities left: at Derby next Saturday or at Wimbledon on May 8th.

The home side can blame their early problems on three factors. First, too many players were patently not up to the job; secondly, their defence perpetrated yet more silly mistakes; and, thirdly, they could not handle the strength of Ashley Ward.

READ MORE

On 15 minutes Ward was able to run past Scott Hiley and score with a cross-shot under the goalkeeper's body.

On 23 minutes, Southampton drew level through Chris Marsden's first goal for the club but Rovers regained their lead three minutes later when Darren Peacock was left unmarked to bundle in a corner.

Jones then decided to get some "young legs on - lot of pace and power . Enter David Hughes and James Beattie. But Rovers extended their lead three minutes into the second half through Wilcox's header. Again it was poor marking.

Southampton went for broke and Mark Hughes finally scored his first goal for Southampton after 48 hours and 44 minutes of trying. The Latvian striker Marian Pahars capped his debut with the equaliser but, despite sustained pressure, the Dell boys failed to force a winner.

While both managers could not have asked more from their players, Saints needed more. And the shortfall proved costly.

Southampton: Moss, Hiley (Pahars 78), Lundekvam, Benali, Colleter (D. Hughes 45), Le Tissier, Dodd, Marsden, Kachloul, M. Hughes, Ostenstad (Beattie 45). Subs Not Used: Bridge, Stensgaard. Booked: Le Tissier, D Hughes. Goals: Marsden 22, M. Hughes 61, Pahars 85.

Blackburn: Filan, McAteer, Peacock, Henchoz (Broomes 45), Davidson, Gillespie, Carsley, Johnson (Dailly 78), Wilcox, Ward, Gallacher (Davies 69). Subs Not Used: Marcolin, Flowers. Booked: McAteer, Gillespie. Goals: Ward 14, Peacock 25, Wilcox 47.

Referee: G Barber (Pyrford).