Paul Jones could probably have thought of better ways to celebrate his 300th league appearance than conceding a freak goal for the second time this season.

The Welsh international stopper let in a contender for most bizarre goal of the season at Derby in November when James Beattie's sliced clearance looped back over his head and under the bar.

But Brian Deane's simple finish after another cruel twist of fate on Saturday will run it a close second.

With Leicester, the Premiership's bottom side, already 1-0 up and probing with often fruitless balls over the Saints defence, Jones was called out of his area to head clear in the 25th minute.

The ball fell straight to Muzzy Izzet 40-yards from goal who slashed his attempted chip up into the clouds.

Jones sauntered back to his net assuming the ball was flying into the Chapel stand but instead it dropped, struck the post and the bar and came out to Deane who tapped home his second of the game.

Bemused Saints boss Gordon Strachan commented: "You usually see one of them in a lifetime but we've had two this year.

"Paul was brave in the second half because there were sarcastic comments from the fans so it said a lot for them because it's hard to stand out there when there were 30,000 people but he showed a lot of composure.

"It was embarrassing for him and a big blow for him but he recovered well and well done to him."

Even Leicester boss Dave Bassett admitted: "Our second goal was a bit lucky, there is no two ways about that and if it would have been the winner we would have admitted it.

"At that point we thought the Gods were looking down on us."

At 2-0 up he was right. Deane had given the Foxes the lead on 21 minutes when he made a near post run to head home in front of the groggy Claus Lundekvam, who was withdrawn moments later after a clash of heads with the goalscorer just before the opener.

Then "that" goal went in and it looked like Leicester would be heading for only their fourth win of the season - but they hadn't reckoned on Marian Pahars and an incredible decision from referee Mike Dean.

Saints created a plethora of chances, which included Brett Ormerod hitting the post on 11 minutes, and were rewarded on 29 minutes when Pahars met Anders Svensson's cross with a diving near-post header to halve the deficit.

Kevin Davies should have sent Saints in level at the interval but fell over in first half injury time when all he had to do was make contact three-yards out for a certain goal.

As the match headed towards a disastrous result for Saints it was Mike Dean to the rescue.

Four minutes from time James Beattie was apparently tugged in the box and Saints' superman pointed to the spot. Pahars duly dispatched the penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Ian Walker the wrong way.

Nobody was quite sure why the spot-kick was awarded. Dean told the players Lee Marshall tugged Beattie's shirt, he told Bassett Matt Elliott was the offender. Everybody was amazed, even Strachan. "I didn't see it and I don't think anybody did apart from the guy who gave it," he said.

Bassett was understandably more forthright with his opinions: "To say it was contentious was an understatement, I can't see where the referee saw the push. TV replays show it wasn't a penalty so that is hard to take.

"Southampton had run out of ideas but then the referee decided he was Clark Kent and saw something that nobody else did.

"I couldn't fault the players for their spirit and commitment, they worked hard and deserved more. It's very difficult to take, going home with only one point."

But Strachan countered: "To come back from the second goal and play the way I wanted them to play was excellent.

"The crowd wanted the ball played forward quickly but that would have suited them because they've got big, big lads.

"We had to move the ball and make them turn and go again so I was really happy we stuck to our game plan because I think the Leicester players might have played to what the crowd wanted and because of that in the end we probably deserved to win the game."