Southampton remain in deep relegation trouble after draw

Southampton manager Mark Hughes felt his side missed an opportunity to give their Premier League survival bid a major shot in the arm after they played out a dour stalemate against Leicester.

In a match short of quality, Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy denied Leicester and England frontman Jamie Vardy deep into the second period, while Shane Long missed Southamptons most presentable opportunity.

A point left the Saints, who play Chelsea in Sundays FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, four points adrift of Swansea, who play their game in hand at champions Manchester City on Sunday, and top-flight safety.

“We hoped to get more out of the game and we had a couple of chances,” said Hughes, who earned his first point as Southampton boss. “Clearly we would have liked to have been more expansive but we got a point and we play at home next [against Bournemouth], which is huge.

“Only time will tell whether the point is enough. The players are a bit flat but we are not in the situation where we are downhearted. Its the disappointment of not getting maximum points, but the key was to get something from the game.”

Long came closest to opening the scoring for the visitors after the break, only for his effort to be repelled by Leicester goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

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