Football: Norris halts Saints

SOUTHAMPTON 1

John 51

IPSWICH 1

Norris 56

NIGEL PEARSON is still looking for his first win as Saints boss after promotion hopefuls Ipswich came from behind to earn a point at St Mary's.

Stern John's 14th goal of the campaign edged Southampton in front, but hard-working David Norris levelled shortly afterwards and the visitors clung on for a draw.

Andrew Surman's absence with an ankle injury gave Mario Licka his first Saints start in over a year. And in an opening half dominated by the home side, the Czech winger and Gregory Vignal combined well down the left, supplying a string of inviting crosses.

Frontmen John and Marek Saganowski, however, were well marshalled by Ipswich's central defensive pair of Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos. When John finally found space to shoot, he had the misfortune to see it cannon back off his Polish team-mate.

Ipswich's only worthwhile shot in the first half came from Velice Sumulikoski, which goalkeeper Kelvin Davis dealt with comfortably. But early in the second half it took a smart save from Davis to deny the visitors. Pablo Counago played in Norris, whose low left-footed shot was touched around a post by the Saints stopper.

A few minutes later, John's persistence paid off for Southampton as he latched on to John Viafara's right-wing cross before hammering the ball into the roof of the net.

But just four minutes later Norris struck his first goal for Jim Magilton's side. After chasing Alan Lee's through-ball, Norris cut in before catching out Davis with a shot that crept in at the near post.

John had the best chance to grab a muchneeded win for Saints, but he headed Vignal's cross wide. Inigo Idiakez thought he had nicked a late winner, but Bywater denied him.

With Saints manager Pearson having lost his voice shouting at his players, it was left to coach Jason Dodd to say: "The lads gave everything and we couldn't fault the effort and commitment.

"We thought we had the better chances."

Ipswich boss Magilton said: "I'm slightly disappointed because we can play better than that, but the fact remains that the point has taken us into the top six and that's great."

HOW THEY RATED

SOUTHAMPTON

Davis 6, Wright 6, Thomas 7, Davies 6, Vignal 7, Viafara 6, Idiakez 5, Safri 6, LICKA 8, Saganowski 5 (McGoldrick 6), John 6 (Baseya 5).

MANAGER Pearson 6

IPSWICH

Bywater 6, Wright 6, Naylor 7, De Vos 7, Harding 7, Norris 7, Miller 5 (Garvan 5) Sumulikoski 6, Walters 5, Lee 5, Counago 6 (Haynes 5)

MANAGER Magilton 6

REFEREE M Russell 7

MAN OF THE MATCH

MARIO LICKA

Plenty of quality crosses from the Czech winger

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