Southampton 2-2 Leicester City

	Saints goalscorer Marian Pahars skips the challenge of Damien Delaney (MikeHewitt/Allsport)

The official ruled that Matt Elliott had grabbed a Southampton jersey inside the box and awarded a penalty three minutes from the end which enabled Marian Pahars to salvage a point.

Leicester are too far adrift to have any real hope of survival but you had to have every sympathy with them yesterday. They surged ahead through two Brian Deane goals in the space of four minutes midway through the first half and deserved to hold on for the points.

The first goal, on 21 minutes, was as classy as any the 34-year-old has scored in his career. Paul Dickov's cross was hit with real pace and Deane diverted it like a missile past Paul Jones.

A moment of recklessness from keeper Jones led to the second goal. He made the mistake of coming way out of his area to head the ball but sent it directly to the feet of Muzzy Izzet whose 40-yard lob bounced up against the underside of the bar, back down again and out to the grateful Deane.

Southampton began their recovery in the 29th minute with a header as good as Deane's opener. Anders Svensson set up a chance for Pahars to leap forward, meet the ball in full flight and direct it away from Ian Walker.

Saints found an extra gear in the second half but still needed that late penalty to deny Leicester only their fourth Premier League win of a dismal season.