Southampton extended their unbeaten run to five matches thanks to Fabrice Fernandes's free kick in the 89th minute at Elland Road this afternoon.

Harry Kewell's 73rd-minute strike looked to have earned victory for Leeds, who had won only two of their previous 12 Premiership matches.

Moments after Paul Robinson had saved James Beattie's low header, Kewell forced a fantastic save from Antti Niemi.

But, from the resulting Ian Harte corner, Jonathan Woodgate headed against the post and the ball fell to Kewell who slammed home.

However, just a minute from time, Fernandes's right wing free kick evaded absolutely everybody and crept into the far corner of the net by the post. And the Frenchamn almost won it in injury time when Robinson saved at the far post.

Leeds had offered very little in the first half and the best chances had fallen to Saints.

Brett Ormerod headed over from close range on 13 minutes and hit the bar after 36.

Saints also had a Chris Marsden 'goal' disallowed for offside but, in the second half, although Robinson saved headers from Michael Svensson and James Beattie, Leeds created the better openings.

Niemi, replacing Paul Jones in goal, pulled off several good stops while Matt Oakley's goalline clearance hit his own post and rolled to safety.

LEEDS 1 - SOUTHAMPTON 1