Southampton began this game knowing that a win of any description would hand them a six point lead over their nearest rivals in the chase for promotion.
Whilst it would have only been temporary, the result was a foregone conclusion to the fans that turned up to cheer the team on.
City fans had other thoughts though those were in the main ones of hope other than expectation.
The game began slowly and City were far more purposeful in the early stages though chances were not being made with any real hope of breaking the deadlock.
A mazy run from Robins winger Albert Adomah, who got the better of both Schneiderlin and Richardson was spoilt by him blazing high when it looked like he could have been far more dangerous.
With chances hard to come by the next chance fell to Saints when the ball broke free to Morgan Schneiderlin who smashed a fierce shot goal-wards. With Saints fans rising to acclaim the goal David James did exceptionally turning the shot away to safety.
At the other end it was Kelvin Davis who took his turn to save a good shot from Albert Adomah after the ball rebounded to him.
Half-time came with the game evenly poised and we waited to see what changes Nigel Adkins would make to improve the situation.
Soon after the restart City thought they had scored after Davis had superbly saved another Adomah shot only for Maynard to tuck the ball home. The goal was disallowed which came as a great relief to all Saints fans.
Saints then came close after a slick move with Guly driving the ball narrowly over. City responded with a Maynard drive which Aaron Martin did well to block.
The game was decided eventually when a long shot from Scuse was spilt by Davis only for him to block the follow up from Maynard. Unluckily for the Saints Stephen Pearson was on hand to tap the ball home.
With Saints unable to break through the final whistle came and Saints had lost by the single goal scored by Pearson.
FT 0-1
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