SAINTS proved they can match the very best on Saturday - and the next step is to truly believe it every time they step on to the pitch.

Yes, they were desperately unlucky to leave Old Trafford empty-handed and yes, Diego Forlan's superb strike was virtually impossible to defend against.

But there was still a certain inevitability about United's late winner as Saints sat deep in the final 20 minutes and invited attacks. Yet overall these is no reason why the defeat shouldn't add to the team's growing confidence.

For different reasons their performance level was every bit as good as it was in the victories against Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fulham.

Playing Manchester United away was, of course, a tougher proposition and much of Saints' efforts were successfully directed into stopping their opponents play.

As ever, United passed and moved at an electric tempo, but the work-rate of every Saints player was magnificent to keep the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy quiet.

Early in the second-half Saints even looked like the most likely winners with Fabrice Fernandes the best attacking threat for either team.

But in the closing stages, it seemed that the players' thoughts fatally turned to how they would hold on for a draw, rather than continuing to take the game to United.

The unnecessary feeling of clinging on was compounded when Gordon Strachan replaced striker Brett Ormerod for midfielder Rory Delap. At roughly the same time Sir Alex Ferguson threw on Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer and Diego Forlan.

The message was clear - United still expected to win and Saints were hoping to cling on for a draw.

In an instance the phsycology of the game had switched in favour of United, even though Saints had actually been holding their own.

In fairness to Strachan, his decision to bring on Delap was motivated by an effort to encourage his midfield to play further forward.

And, of course, if Forlan hadn't unleashed that unstoppable shot, most would have applauded the move as a good tactic to shore-up the midfield.

But it was a shame that Saints took on the position of inferiors after their performance had proved that they were anything but.

At the back the team currently look as solid as any side in the country, while there is now competition for places in midfield and attack.

As Strachan has pointed out, the bench of substitutes also looks stronger than for a long time.

Saints really have come a long way in the past year, and they have every reason to be proud of the way they performed on Saturday.

They showed that they deserve of a place in the top half of the Premeirship on merit.

And if they can just consistently play like they believe it, then the Saints really will go marching on up the table.

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