GRAEME LE SAUX felt Robbie Fowler's early strike was the decisive moment in Saints' 2-0 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday.

As against Middlesbrough and Newcastle already this season, Saints struggled to break down their opponents after conceding a first-half goal.

The visitors went ahead on four minutes when Saints' usually water-tight defence strangely stood off and presented Fowler with a free shot at goal.

Le Saux said: "It was a bad time to a concede the first goal and that set the tone for the game. After that we played well for much of the first half.

"Manchester City played well and brought the ball forward well and we couldn't find a way of breaking them down. It is very disappointing for us, the fans and the management.

"It was a bad time to concede the first goal but these things happen.

"It was not just a case of letting someone have a free shot. Claus (Lundekvam) was wrong-footed and maybe the right decisions were not made in a split-second.

"And if you give Robbie Fowler a chance then he is more than likely to hit the target. That is why he has been such a prolific scorer over the years. But it doesn't mean that we are suddenly bad defenders.

"We have to get back to a clean sheet and use it as a springboard to win the next game."

The defeat ended Saints' three-match unbeaten run, but Le Saux, who put in yet another assured display at left-back, was keen to remain positive.

He added: "I think despite the first eight minutes after their first goal we were more than comfortable in the first half and could quite easily have got an equaliser.

"The second goal was a consequence of us pushing forward and trying to get something from the game.

"We would rather lose the game 2-0, than losing 1-0 and not pushing bodies forward.

"We played quite well for the rest of the half and controlled much of it.

"But we could not find a way of breaking them down which was frustrating for the fans and for us.

"We didn't adapt to their style of play. They are an attacking team but that is also their Achilles heel. It is disappointing to lose a match on the back of some good results.

"But it's not all doom and gloom. It's disappointing but it's the way we bounce back that is the most important thing.

"We have a lot of good things going for us and it is a case of getting back to those things against Bolton next week."