Saints defender Graeme Le Saux rated Saturday's 2-0 win against Blackburn as the club's most important result of the season so far.

Le Saux, who won a Premiership winners medal during his spell at Blackburn, returned at left back for Saints following a hamstring injury.

The win was Saints' first in six games and James Beattie's opener was their first goal for 467 minutes.

It now means Saints can look at their recent form as four points from two games following the goalless draw at Everton.

Le Saux said: "We knew how important this game was, we knew we needed all three points.

"This match really was the most important of the season so far, it's come at a good time and it's made the draw up at Everton a good result.

"To get four points from two games is the start of a decent run hopefully.

"Now we've got to make sure we keep doing what we're doing defensively and get more confidence going forward.

"Everybody needs to take responsibility when it comes it making something happen in front of goal or to make that final ball count."

Speaking of the game, Le Saux added: "It was a difficult one. Blackburn came here off the back of a few bad results and they played a 4-5-1 which always means they are going to be difficult to break down.

"We've had mixed results recently and struggled to score and the first half was pretty much what was expected - very tight and everybody seemed a little bit anxious.

"It was the same for Neil (McCann) and I as we hadn't played for three weeks - it was a tough first half.

"The manager shook us up a bit at half-time and we were rejuvenated and really took the game to them.

"Then James popped up, as he so often does, and scored an excellent free kick."

Saints' second goal was scored by 19-year-old debutante Leandre Griffit, who calmly side footed home from the edge of the area three minutes from time and only four minutes after coming on for Jo Tessem, who had been handed his first start of the season after Brett Ormerod reported sick.

Le Saux commented: "Leandre's been somebody that everybody's noticed since pre-season.

"He's a fairly confident young player when he's got the ball and he's aggressive when he's running with it. He takes the game to the opposition and he scored a goal with some composure.

"It's an excellent start for him but now he needs to realise that this is only day one of many years ahead of him - he'll be a bright star of the future."