Saints prised a draw from Highfield Road last night but manager Glenn Hoddle warned: "It's only a good point if we win our next two home games."

With Spurs and Derby next up at The Dell, the Saints boss has set his side a target.

"If we don't pick up two wins at home in the next two games this will be two points lost as I see it," said Hoddle, after his team maintained the five points cushion between themselves and the Sky Blues.

After bossing the opening stages Saints fell behind to a freak goal before battling back and Hoddle said: "That's the story of our season. We should have gone in leading at half-time but when we didn't and were one down, we showed a lot of character to get back into the game.

"Our goal was a great move and a great finish and we looked like the side at the end who were pushing to get the winner."

Hoddle refused to criticise his defence for the goal from David Thompson which put Coventry ahead. The midfielder swung in a free-kick from the left which sailed over the heads of forwards and defenders before nestling inside of the far post with keeper Paul Jones looking on astounded.

Hoddle said: "It was a ball that flashed across the box and Jonah had to anticipate a touch and go to the near post but it sailed over everyone and sometimes they slide past the post but tonight it curled in.

"It would be nice if we could score scrappy goals and if we could do that and stop the scrappy ones going in our net, we will definitely be OK."

Hoddle was forced into changes after losing Marian Pahars to a freak injury. The Latvian striker ricked his neck yesterday morning cleaning his teeth and the reshuffle saw Kevin Gibbens brought in for his first game in 18 months.

Hoddle said: "I brought Kevin in because he has done well in the reserves and I thought I would get some fresh legs in to midfield alongside Chris Marsden and Mark Draper.

"With four games coming up in ten days we will need all the squad at our disposal.