Saints reserves lost for the first time in five games on their return to Staplewood last night after conceding a scrambled late goal to Leicester City.

Steve Wigley's side have played most of their home games at St Mary's this season but switched back to Staplewood last night to protect the pitch ahead of the weekend's visit of West Bromwich Albion.

But the change in venue brought a change in fortune as 20-year-old Leicester-born striker Jon Stevenson scrambled home an 89th minute winner from close range.

The result was harsh on a Saints side that included Jason Dodd but was otherwise short of experience.

Wigley did not use a single substitute, allowing the likes of centre back Luke Byles, central midfielder Andrew Surman and left back Stephen Hunt to continue their progress up the learning curve.

It was Brian Howard, another local boy, who came as close as any Saints player to opening the scoring in the first half.

The Winchester-born wide man's 25 yard drive from Scott McDonald's 38th minute lay off was destined for the top corner before Paul Murphy tipped it behind.

Both Argentinian Federico Arias, who played alongside McDonald in an unfamiliar strike role, and the impressive Chris Baird had first half efforts deflected behind for flag kicks.

Arias tended to cut on to his left foot from the right flank whenever possible and the Argentine was at his most dangerous in the last 20 minutes.

He was booked for backing into 6ft 4in stopper Matthew Heath, another Leicester-born rookie, on 74 minutes but fired a fizzing left footed drive narrowly wide and another straight at Murphy.

With six minutes left he escaped down the left flank, only for Arron Davies to head wide a pinpoint cross at the far post.

Arias's strike partner McDonald was twice guilty of firing over the bar in the second half but on 78 minutes the Aussie came close to opening the scoring.

After surging close into the Leicester penalty area he fired a cross shot inches wide of the far post, with Arias and Howard pleading for the cross on the edge of the six yard box.

Then it was left for Stevenson to wrap up the points for the visitors. The pocket box striker was the main threat in a Leicester side that included Andrew Impey and Junior Lewis.

Alan Blayney was hardly tested bar a far post effort from 18-year-old Tommy Wright following a 55th minute Stevenson cross shot.

That was as close as Leicester came before Stevenson bundled home a right flank corner in front of Foxes boss and ex-Saint Micky Adams.

Saints: Blayney, Dodd, Williamson, Byles, Hunt, Davies, Baird, Surman, Howard, McDonald, Arias.

Subs: Crowell, Williams, Gillett, Lucas, Green.

Booked: Arias (foul).