By Martin Rowe
Southampton will feel hard done by after throwing away a lead in the final moment of their match at Wigan during the weekend and ending all square at 2-2.
Luke Shaw returned to full back for the Saints at Danny Fox’s expense and there was still no place for new signing Vegard Forren.
Wigan gave Paul Scharner his second debut after returning to the club on loan.
And the hosts had the early chance when Franco Di Santo forced Artur Boruc into a fantastic one handed save.
Then on 25 minutes Wigan took the lead when Jean Beausejour’s corner was met with a powerful header by Gary Caldwell.
The Saints eventually drew level on 64minutes when Jack Cork’s dinked cross was flicked on by Jay Rodriguez before a brave header by Saints talisman Rickie Lambert nestled in the back of the net.
And the Saints could have taken the lead when Lambert peeled to the back post but saw his volley go just wide.
Adam Lallana, coming off the bench, nearly gave Saints the lead but his shot hit the post. But it was only a short delay until they got their noses in front.
With five minutes remaining a great run by Jay Rodriguez saw him cross low for Morgan Schneiderlin, who sprinted 75 yards to get on the end of the ball, gave the visitors the lead.
But the drama was not over and Wigan snatched a point when a Beausejour corner was headed down by debutant Paul Scharner and Shaun Maloney scuffed the ball into the net.
With Reading winning against Sunderland it still leaves Saints three points above the drop-zone but the chasing pack are beginning to close in.