GORDON STRACHAN paid tribute to Saints legend Francis Benali following last night's 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.

Saints matched the European giants in an entertaining match with Michael Ballack cancelling out Brett Ormerod's opening goal.

But Benali stole the show in his final appearance for the club after 22 years on the playing staff and, latterly, as a coach.

He received a standing ovation from all sides of the ground when he came on with five minutes remaining and Strachan said: "That was priceless. You can't put money on that.

"That was the highlight of the night and it will stay with Franny for the rest of his life. I just thought it would be a good idea for him to play the last few minutes to say a proper goodbye to the fans. But he could not have expected anything like that - he will treasure that."

Strachan encountered Benali as a player in the late 1980s and early 1990s and admitted the young Saints full-back left an impression.

"He gave me the biggest bruise I have ever had!" smiled the Saints boss. "I was playing against him and he kneed me up the backside.

"I have never seen a bruise like it. It went from my bum to my shoulder blades.

"I was in agony for a week, so I certainly won't forget that.

"He was a wholehearted competitor and it was only right that he should get the chance to say farewell.

"It was a good night all round. It was a great turn-out by the fans.

"I was talking to Uli Hoeness afterwards and he said Bayern play friendlies all over the place, but that sort of crowd just does not happen. They were very impressed."

An emotional Benali said: "It probably meant more to hear the ovation tonight than anytime before.

"But it was tremendous to have a fixture like that in front of a full house and one last chance to be in and around the changing room, with all the players, and a chance to run on and hopefully show my appreciation to all the fans that were there."

Strachan, meanwhile, was faced with several injury problems ahead of the friendly, with Agustin Delgado (back), Marian Pahars (groin) and Kevin Phillips (groin) joining Claus Lundekvam (hamstring) and Graeme Le Saux (foot) on the sidelines.

But he added: "It was still useful to be able to play a few others such as Darren Kenton and Yoann Folly, who was excellent.

"It was good for a few of the younger players to get experience against a top team.

"I know Bayern could have gone up by 25 per cent, but then we had eight regulars missing. It gave us chance to use a few others and that is what the game was for.

"The crowd was beyond our expectations and they saw a top team in Bayern Munich, and they might have seen some young players of ours for the first-time which was good."