Paul Onuachu scored a dramatic late winner as Southampton secured their first Premier League victory since November at fellow strugglers Ipswich.
While Saints remain anchored to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 24 games, their win also arrests a run of six consecutive top-flight defeats and is the first time they have taken three points since Ivan Juric was appointed manager on 21 December.
“It’s a great feeling, the guys deserved it because they worked a lot. They did some good games and we lost but today we won,” Juric told BBC Match of the Day.
“The character is always there. We will enjoy tonight, that’s for sure.
“I think the team can improve themselves, make good matches and I think that we can do something really special.”
The visitors had opened the scoring in the first half when Joe Aribo’s bouncing first-time effort deceived home goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
Liam Delap levelled for the hosts before the break, racing away from Saints captain Jan Bednarek to place a low effort past Aaron Ramsdale.
And in a largely uninspiring encounter Omari Hutchinson, Julio Enciso and Delap had opportunities to claim all three points for Kieran McKenna’s side.
However, when substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana’s effort was only parried by Muric, Nigeria forward Onuachu was on hand to prod in the rebound.
Until that point, the Tractor Boys had looked set to move out of the relegation zone on goal difference, but instead stay 19th.
“We had the better of the game, the better of the performance but we didn’t take the win,” added McKenna.
“There’s a lot of football to play and it’s a sore one to take but we need to make sure that we keep performing well. We need to work hard, respond in the right way and try and get stronger.”
Saints tear up script
Southampton have dropped 20 points from winning positions during a dismal campaign.
And after Delap charged straight through a non-existent defensive line to equalise with his ninth top-flight goal, it felt as though that statistic would be added to.
However, while the home side controlled much of the play in the second period and forged the better chances, Saints admirably stuck to their task.
Juric’s team also deserve credit for claiming only their second win of the season despite losing Taylor Harwood-Bellis and his direct replacement Jack Stephens to injury.
There were also promising debuts for Welington at left-back and on-loan Rennes midfielder Albert Gronbaek, while the introduction of Sulemana paid dividends.
Ipswich have now conceded 14 goals in four successive defeats but had viewed Southampton’s visit as a huge opportunity to get back on track in their fight to preserve their top-flight status.
If they are to achieve that goal though, they will have to become more clinical in their remaining 14 fixtures.
For all of Ipswich’s neat and tidy football, there was a significant lack of cutting edge at critical moments.
A tame early effort from on-loan Brighton winger Enciso, which was easily saved by Ramsdale, was indicative of what was to follow and demonstrated why they have the second-worst record in front of goal in the Premier League.
