A last minute goal saw Saints held to a 1-1 draw this Saturday in a competitive work-out at Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium…

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Eastleigh: Matthews, Clark (Goodhind, 46), Oliver (Challis, 46), Smith (Frempong, 78), Jordan (Sangha, 70), Martin (Green, 70), Adeniyi, Taggart, Richardson (Roberts, 63), Gillespie (Mason, 74), Poate (Preston, 46) Subs: (not used) Howells.

Southampton: (1st half) Bartosz Bialkowski, Lloyd James, Wayne Thomas, Chris Perry, Oscar Gobern, Jake Thomson, Paul Wotton, Simon Gillett, Lee Holmes, Grzegorz Rasiak, Matt Paterson.

(2nd half) Tommy Forecast, Sam Argent, Olly Lancashire, Jack Saville, Ben Reeves, Jack Boyle, Callum McNish, Anthony Pulis, Tom Dunford, Matthew Paterson (White, 70), Ryan Doble.

Referee: Mr Pete Lavelle

Attendance: 1,714

Many Saints fans will have simply been pleased that the club's pre-season campaign has actually gotten underway at all, but the story of the Saints ongoing plight did not go unreported.

With few other sides in action so early on in July, and the obvious interest in Saints' off-the-field activities, Mark Wotte's men were treated to the full media glare, with Sky Sports News providing live pre and post match coverage and regular updates throughout.

The Dutchman named an experienced eleven for the opening forty five minutes, with Polish duo Bartosz Bialkowski and striker Grzegorz Rasiak lining up for their first starts since September and January 2008 respectively.

They were joined by the veteran centre back pairing of Chris Perry and Wayne Thomas, with Paul Wotton adding to the regulars from last season including the likes of Lloyd James and Simon Gillett.

Matthew Paterson and Oscar Gobern were amongst the younger members of the first-half team, but both put in impressive displays on a day that was always going to be more about fitness than results.

Saints got off to a good start, with Paterson firing an early shot wide with just three minutes on the clock.

Fit-again Wayne Thomas then showed that his injury troubles now look to be firmly behind him, with a series of strong tackles keeping Eastleigh trialist Marcus Richardson at bay.

Bialkowski had to be on his guard as ex-Saints trainee Brett Poate steered the ball just past the right hand post on eight-minutes and forced a save from the Polish 'keeper three minutes later with a powerful low shot.

With just under quarter of an hour gone, the Spitfires thought they had taken a deserved lead when Richardson headed Steve Clark's corner into the back of the net, but the referee's whistle quickly spotted a foul on the 'keeper.

Gobern then made an impact at the other end of the field, but could only head over the bar from Lee Holmes left-hand corner kick.

Poate again looked dangerous on 23 minutes when he sent a curling free-kick towards the top right corner, but Bialkoski dived across well to cover the threat.

The two men later collided as they slid in for the ball, but were both soon back on their feet as play quickly resumed.

Saints' were containing their Blue Square South opponents well enough by this stage, but were not creating much in the way of chances in front of Jason Matthew's goal.

A rare opening did fall their way ten minutes before the interval when Jake Thomson's corner was clumsily punched clear by the Spitfires' 'keeper but Peter Adeniyi was able to clear up-field.

Poate then tested Bialskowski's reactions again with a fierce 25-yard shot that the Pole palmed onto the post and out for a corner kick.

Half-Time: Eastleigh 0-0 Southampton.

Saints made wholesale changes after the break with Mark Wotte giving senior debuts to several young pros who have plied their trade with the Academy and Reserves thus far.

Former Chelsea scholar Jack Saville was one such introduction at centre back, with Ben Reeves at left-back, Sam Argent at right-back, Ryan Doble up front and last season's Academy player of the season, Tom Dunford on the right of midfield.

Eastleigh also made changes of their own, however, and almost sneaked a goal on 54 minutes when Forecast had to react quickly to stop an awkward ball that had squirmed away from him trickling over the line.

With much to prove, the Saints youngsters set about their task with impressive gusto and reaped the reward when Paterson gave his side the lead on the hour.

Having survived the half-time cull, PATERSON kept his cool in the heat of the moment and calmly slotted Callum McNish's through-ball underneath the on-rushing 'keeper with a low diagonal drive that was warmly applauded.

Claims for handball in the Eastleigh box were then confidently waved away by the man in black before the game lost some of its edge thanks to a slew of Eastleigh substitutions.

Wotte sent on fit-again striker Jamie White for the final twenty minutes and he made a lively return to action, without ever getting a clear cut chance to reopen his goalscoring account.

With the visitors now heading for a slender victory, Eastleigh were able to snatch a well-deserved late equaliser with a minute left to play, as Tony Taggart squeezed the ball past Forecast and into the bottom right corner.

Full-Time: Eastleigh 1-1 Southampton

Pictures courtesy of Digital South

Pre-Season 2009-10

Saints will be back in action and on the road on Tuesday night against AFC Totton at Testwood Park.

Click here for ticket information…