Another battling display extended West Ham's unbeaten run to five games -- but improved form is not bringing salvation any closer.

In isolation, the deserved point secured by Jermain Defoe's late goal at St Mary's seems to be a good one.

But set against other results it is clear that time is running out, even for this revitalised Hammers' team.

West Ham made a slow start, while the Saints belied the impression that they would be resting up ahead of next week's FA Cup semi-final.

Yet the visitors probably created the better chances, with Tomas Repka dealing confidently with the threat of in-form James Beattie.

Les Ferdinand should have opened the scoring on 18 minutes when an incisive break down the right saw Lee Bowyer find the striker in space six yards, only for the ex-Spurs man to miskick horribly.

A minute later Trevor Sinclair flashed a diving header just past the post from a Ferdinand cross, and in a first half of few chances it was unfortunate that Southampton scored right on the whistle.

But after a left-wing cross was not properly cleared, Chris Marsden hooked a high ball across the six yard box where Beattie had got just far enough from Brevett to bundle home the loose ball.

Unlike earlier performances this season, however, Hammers held their nerve.

Sinclair tested Antti Niemi within minutes of the restart, while Saints seemed to drop the pace.

Fredi Kanoute, on as a second-half substitute, impressed again, doing well to skin Michael Svensson -- who a minute earlier had headed a great chance over David James' bar -- only to be denied by the retreating Claus Lundekvam.

But the pressure was not finally rewarded until the 84th minute, when Glen Johnson kept his cool following a touchline fracas between Bowyer and Chris Marsden.

The young full-back launched a long throw deep into the box, the defence twice let it bounce without intervening, and Defoe managed to push the rising ball beyond Niemi for the equaliser.

Published Monday, April 7 , 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo