IT took Saints 15 matches to climb out of the relegation area - but just two to fall back into the dreaded drop zone.

Paul Robinson's last-minute leveller for West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands derby at Aston Villa yesterday saw the Baggies leapfrog out of the bottom three at Saints' expense.

But a truly appalling weekend - following on from a 3-0 loss at fellow strugglers Blackburn and Pompey's second win in only 13 league games - was averted yesterday.

Saints would have slipped into the bottom two had Crystal Palace won at Everton - instead they were thumped 4-0.

Harry Redknapp admits he must now pick his players up again.

Saints went five games unbeaten after losing 2-1 at Birmingham in early February and Redknapp said: "That had been our last dodgy performance and that was a couple of months ago.

"We picked ourselves up after that one and we have to do the same again."