Southampton Saints have three games left to scrape together five precious survival points in the FA Women's Premier League National Division. Unfortunately for them, they are against the country's 'big three' with next Sunday's trip to Doncaster Belles (1pm) followed by stern tests against title-chasing Fulham and Arsenal.

Saints could have thrown themselves a precious lifeline by beating Tranmere at Winchester City yesterday but, despite creating a hatful of chances, Ivor Gumm's side had to content themselves with a draw - this time 1-1 - for the third week running.

It's been the same old story for Saints this season. Creatively their youngsters have come on in leaps and bounds, but when it comes to finding the killer touch in front of goal they have been sadly lacking.

Kate Wilding, Corinne Yorston and Kirsty Bell all had chances to put them ahead against Tranmere before Yorston finally struck with a sublime left-foot shot into the top corner three minutes into the second half.

More chances went begging through Bell, Gemma Woodford and Nicole Emmanuel before Holly Newman lobbed in Tranmere's 80th-minute equaliser, but Saints could still have won it when Holly Anderson broke through and set up Kate Wilding.

"We just froze in front of goal and it's a confidence thing," said Gumm. "The players always want to take that extra touch because they're so frightened of missing.

"For the first 20 minutes or so yesterday we weren't at the races and we needed good tackles from Lynn Armstrong and Marie O'Brien to keeper Tranmere out - plus two superb saves from Toni-Anne Wayne.

"But after that it was all one-way traffic. We were so on top, it was unbelievable."