AN 85 per cent fit Matthew Le Tissier came through another successful 90-minute outing for the reserves last night, but confessed he faces a mighty battle to win back his first team place.

The 33-year-old playmaker scored the Saints goal after 26 minutes, clinically finishing off a move created by wily winger Jacinto, who crisply beat two Fulham defenders to set up the chance.

"That is the best I have felt after 90 minutes for a while," said Le Tissier, whose season has once again been blighted by injury.

"My fitness is not too bad. I still felt like I had a bit of energy at the end, and I would hope, as I always do, that I will be in contention for Manchester United on Saturday.

"But the team have had some great results, and it is now even harder for me to get back into the side. I would not think the manager will change the team, especially with plenty of tough games coming up."

Saints were a little lucky to grab a draw in front of a 2,253-strong St Mary's crowd. They dominated the opening exchanges, and Jacinto's driving run into the Fulham penalty area was rightly rewarded with the goal.

Scott McDonald nearly scored a second with a sharp volley from Dan Petrescu's through ball.

But then disaster struck ten minutes from half-time when Eddie Lewis's teasing cross was turned into his own net by 18-year-old defender Mike Williamson, making his FA Premier Reserve League debut since signing from Torquay for £100,000 last month.

Fulham could easily have had a second just before the break when Andrejs Stolcers rounded goalkeeper Scott Bevan, squared the ball to Kevin Betsy in front of goal, but he collided with team-mate Elvis Hammond and the chance went begging.

The Londoners twice hit the post in the second half through Lewis after 79 minutes, with a prostrate Bevan grimly hanging onto the rebound, and then in second half injury time through Betsy.

Paul Trollope also squandered a great chance deep into added time and, but for better composure in front of goal, Fulham could have easily taken all three points.

For Saints, this was a patchy display. Jacinto was in sparkling form on the wing, and Williamson, apart from the one mistake, made a promising start in the centre of defence.

Australian McDonald worked hard up front, while substitute Dani Rodrigues very nearly bagged a 70th minute winner, with a dipping volley from 35 yards. Fulham's Maik Taylor, the former Saints stopper, managed to tip the audacious effort over the bar.

Coach Steve Wigley joked: "The woodwork has become part of our defence."

And he added: "I thought we were the better side in the first half but, in the last ten minutes of the second, the game got away from us, and Fulham had two or three good chances to win it.

"We never got going in the second half. We gave the ball away in silly areas and put ourselves under pressure."