KINGS OF THE COMEBACK

The Moroccan bagged a late, late equaliser at The Valley to ensure a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic.

It was the the seventh time this season that Saints have bounced back from going a goal behind to claim a share of the spoils.

Against Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Fulham, Charlton, Sunderland and Leicester, Gordon Strachan's team have fallen behind but clambered back for at least a point.

In fact in all three games in the capital this year - at Chelsea, Arsenal and Charlton - Saints have rallied.

"It seems we are making mistakes early on and getting punished," admitted midfielder, Rory Delap. "But we don't give up, we keep on battling, and we have got the results.

"To us, this was a point lost, the way we played we deserved all three points. It is a shame Tahar's goal came so late because, had it come ten minutes earlier, I think we could have gone on to win the game."

Richard Rufus had put Charlton in front after 17 minutes, despite Jason Dodd's efforts to clear the ball off the line. James Beattie twice had good chances foiled, firstly by a terrific first half save from Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely, and then with a goal-line clearance from Rfus.

And Saints will feel hard done by over three penalty shouts which were turned down by referee Phil Dowd.

Manager Gordon Strachan was full of praise for his side's performance which keeps them in 11th place on 42 points.

"I was proud of my boys today," he said. "I'm a great admirer of Charlton and the way the club is run right from the top to bottom. To come here and match them says a lot for our team.

"We lost a scrappy goal and came back from that to take a point. Even then, young Brett Ormerod has a chance to win it and you cannot fault the endeavour of my players.

"When you look back on a match, you can only ask that your players give you 100 per cent, and they certainly did that today. I told them I am very proud of them.

"I know that El Khalej will claim the goal, although I think it took a big deflection, but no player has given me more at this club, and I know the lads are delighted for him."

Marian Pahars limped off with a dead leg, but of more concern for Saints will be the fitness of Matthew Oakley who suffered a knee ligament sprain and will be assessed today.