Saints slump to Blackburn

Mark Hughes makes his presence felt against his old club

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Southampton 1-2 Blackburn

Substitute Craig Hignett's injury-time winner gave Blackburn their first away win of the season at Southampton.

It was a cruel blow for Saints, who had chances galore to take the three points and break their St Mary's "curse", which has seen them unable to win at their new ground.

  Match facts

36 mins: Marian Pahars bursts clear to put Southampton ahead

45 mins: Tugay's stunning 30-yard strike pulls Blackburn level

90 mins: Hignett's goal seals victory for the visitors

Marian Pahars gave the Saints a deserved lead but Tugay's stunning strike pulled Blackburn level on the stroke of half-time.

Then Hignett popped up in stoppage time to prod home from Blackburn's first scoring chance of the second half.

Southampton dominated from start to finish with Chris Marsden dictating play from midfield.

He pushed Saints forward into attack, creating several opportunities.

Along with James Beattie, the midfielder was the creative force behind most of the home side's attacks.

Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel also pulled off some classy saves to keep his side in the game.

If you do your job properly, you shouldn't be embarrassed. We're not embarrassed with our performance

Saints boss Gordon Strachan

Most notably, he tipped the ball over from Pahars' close-range effort in the first half.

But he could not stop the little Latvian blasting home to open the scoring after 36 minutes when put through by Beattie.

Blackburn had threatened little in the opening period, a Keith Gillespie shot their best effort.

But as the first half disappeared into injury time, Tugay's spectacular 30-yard shot into the top left-hand corner gave them an undeserved equaliser.

The second half continued in the same vein with Southampton pressing forward but unable to convert their chances.

We were lucky and enjoyed that luck. Over a season, luck evens itself out

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness

Pahars had a superb opportunity to give Southampton their first Premiership victory under Gordon Strachan ten minutes from time but he hit the ball straight at Friedel when clean through.

Beattie then hit the post before Blackburn snatched a late winner.

Marcus Bent nodded the ball down and Hignett forced the ball home.

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Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Bridge, El Khalej, Williams, Telfer, Oakley, Delap, Marsden, Beattie, Pahars. Subs: Moss, Monk, Davies, Svensson, Petrescu.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Taylor, Johansson, Berg, Flitcroft, Gillespie, Tugay, Dunn, Jansen, Hughes. Subs: Filan, Johnson, Short, Hignett, Bent.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).