Matthew Le Tissier was the star of the show as Southampton won their first win of the season - and made up ground on potential relegation rivals Coventry.

BBC Radio 5 Live final whistle match report

England outcast Le Tissier scored one and made one after tormenting Gordon Strachan's side from the start.

He scored in the 24th minute after a fine centre from Stuart Ripley, evading marker Roland Nilsson to float a pinpoint header back across the face of goal for his third goal of the season.

Southampton manager Dave Jones talks to BBC Radio 5 Live

Southampton's second owed even more to the brilliance of the 30-year-old who provided an exquisite pass for Norwegian international Egil Ostenstad.

Le Tissier was wide on the left when he saw Ostenstad making a run into the box on the far post and his wickedly curling centre flew right reaching Ostenstad as he ran into the six-yard box.

Ostenstad could do nothing but smash the ball into the net from close range to record only his second goal of the season.

Stuart Ripley holds off Dion Dublin

In the second half, Coventry fought back in style and laid siege to the Southampton goal in a five-minute spell which led to Dion Dublin pulling a goal back on the hour.

Steve Froggatt, who enjoyed acres of space down the left in a tussle with Scott Hiley, sent in a pacy cross which Dublin managed to meet.

The England striker outjumped Ken Monkou to turn the ball past Paul Jones from 10 yards out.

Southampton had to hold on and after 77 minutes Welsh international keeper Jones came to their rescue with a brave save at the feet of Noel Whelan.

Once again a centre from Froggatt from the left caused panic in the Southampton defence but as Whelan arrived at the far post, Jones was quickly off his line to grab the ball from the feet of the Coventry player.

Le Tissier almost capped an outstanding performance when Ripley was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Froggatt.

Southampton's mercurial genius smashed a curling right-foot shot which evaded Magnus Hedman but sailed inches wide.

Southampton

Jones, Hiley, Monkou, Lundekvam, Benali, Ripley, Howells, Hughes, Oakley, Ostenstad, Le Tissier. Subs: Dryden, Palmer, Bridge, Beattie, Moss.

Coventry

Hedman, Nilsson, Burrows, Shaw, Breen, Huckerby, Boateng, McAllister, Dublin, Whelan, Froggatt. Subs: Telfer, Soltvedt, Williams, Edworthy, Ogrizovic.