Injury-ravaged Saints were denied a battling draw by a last-ditch winner from Leon Osman at high-flying Everton.

It looked like Saints would earn a 0-0 draw but the young Evertonian spun and neatly finished in the bottom corner with less than two minutes remaining to leave Steve Wigley's Saints record reading two points from a possible 21.

Wigley handed first Premiership starts to 18-year-olds Leon Best and Dexter Blackstock with Kevin Phillips, James Beattie, Peter Crouch, Brett Ormerod and Marian Pahars all missing.

Graeme Le Saux also failed to recover from injury along with the long term absentees while Saints were dealt a further blow when Claus Lundekvam had to make a late withdrawal from the side through illness.

But in a game of few chances they bravely battled to a draw.

Everton's Marcus Bent had the best of the openings with Saints twice denying him with last ditch blocks before Osman bagged the three points in the dying seconds.

Full time scores from the top clubs in the south.

Full time...

Everton 1 - Saints 0

Bournemouth 4 - Port Vale 0

Plymouth 0 - Wigan 1

Don't forget to pick up your copy The PINK and SPORT on Monday for your comprehensive guide to the weekend's sporting action.