Late equaliser saves Southampton's blushes

EGIL OSTENSTADT spared Southampton the embarrassment of a League Cup quarter final exit to second division Stockport with a late equaliser at Edgeley Park last night. There were just five minutes to go when Ostenstadt turned on a pass from Eyal Berkovic to give Southampton a replay lifeline.

Edgeley Park is the kind of venue that must cause sleepless nights in the houses of Premiership directors. Not only is it the sort of place where an away victory is a hope rather than a probability, in the eyes of the big boys regular games with Stockport County is a sign of failure. Yet with the form of two defeats in 22 matches Stockport have risen to prominence in Division Two and if Southampton were to continue to struggle in the Premiership, the two clubs could easily become well acquainted next season. Alarmed by that possibility, Southampton have dug four points from their last two league games but even those results did not impress Stockport bookmakers who made County favourites.

On the evidence of the opening 10 minutes that looked an astute judgment. Stockport were predictably passionate but, offering proof of their burgeoning reputation for neat football, they were also intelligent. There were a couple of beautifully weighted passes out of defence from Todd, clever touches from the Portuguese winger, Cavaco, and impressive front running from Armstrong. There was also a seventh minute shot from Bennett that went straight into Beasant's midriff.

It was all Stockport. And then of course, just to mark this assessment, Southampton went - and scored with their first attack. Sixteen minutes had gone when Ostenstadt latched on to Charlton's clipped through ball; the Norwegian raced in between Flynn and Connelly, ran away from them and showed class and calmness in sliding the ball under Paul Jones.

County could understandably have been dismayed at the setback but Dave Jones' side lacked neither confidence or spirit and within 10 minutes not only had they equalised, Stockport were 2-1 up. And, resisting the urge to lump the ball forward, both goals were well crafted.

Armstrong got the first with a side footer into Beasant's bottom left hand corner from eight yards. He had retrieved a pass form Brett Angell whose perfect chest control from Todd's accurate free kick had given him the space to find Armstrong. Southampton barely had time to restart, never mind collect themselves, when Stockport went ahead.

The ball finished in the same corner as before when the diminutive Cavaco, popping up on the penalty spot, put the sweetest of glances to Marsden's curling cross. About 45 seconds separated the goals.

When Southampton finally brought another save from Jones and Van Gobbel put the resulting corner onto the bar it seemed as though it was to be Stockport's night again. But then came Ostenstadt's late, late equaliser.