LAST NIGHT'S match at Leeds will be remembered for three significant things.

Firstly, it ended a club and Football League equalling record of eight draws in row - sadly, though, with a defeat.

Secondly, Theo Walcott started his first game for the first team and became the club's youngest ever goalscorer.

Thirdly, Martin Cranie showed the talent that so many know he has and proved that he is first-team material now and not just 'one for the future'.

It was odd really. After so many drawn games Saints could have won, here was a game where you would have happily settled for a draw and it ended in defeat.

Though disappointing not to get a point, there was still a slight sense of relief, among the fans at least, that the run had been broken.

At least it seems to focus the mind even more sharply on the need to start making up some ground with three-point hauls rather than singles.

But from a disappointing result came so many positives. Two in particular.

To deal with the headline maker first, young Mr Walcott.

It was mentioned here on Monday that Harry Redknapp might decide to try something different and give the 16-year-old a game up front. He did - and it paid off.

His pace scared the Leeds defence half to death. For some reason they tried a high, pressing game, trying to get to him before he turned and ran at them.

But he was so quick, so skillful with the ball at his feet, that he just rolled his man.

Saints also played plenty of high balls as Leeds were consequently leaving space for him to run into behind them.

He also proved he can handle himself as well - Paul Butler and Sean Gregan are uncompromising centre halves but they'll be having nightmares about him for a while yet.

His goal came from a high ball. On 25 minutes Djamel Belmadi lofted a high one from the halfway line that Walcott started to chase down. Butler got there first but under pressure his header back to the keeper was weak and it allowed Walcott's pace to get him to the ball first.

He pulled the trigger and though Neil Sullivan got something on it, the shot still went in.

On another night Walcott could have had more. He probably should have scored when played clean through on seven minutes but produced a weak finish, while he flashed a couple of other instinctive finishes just wide or just over.

And so on to the other major positive of the night, Mr Cranie.

What a player this lad could be. He looks to have everything, the complete game for a defender.

For an 18-year-old he reads the game like he's been playing for 30 years. He's strong, calm and composed and very good on the ball and under pressure.

Cranie was deployed at centre half and, though there are concerns that maybe he is a little short of height for the role, he looked so comfortable, at times almost effortless.

It was a performance that has left Redknapp with an embarrassment of riches in the centre back department with Michael Svensson, Claus Lundekvam, Darren Powell and Cranie all there. Tomasz Hajto and Danny Higginbotham can also fill the role, while Cranie can also play at left, or primarily, right back.

There was little he could do about either of the goals, though both of them were frustratingly preventable from other areas.

Leeds took the lead on 11 minutes when a floating cross from not far inside the Saints half from Gary Kelly was headed home across Antti Niemi from 12 yards by Rob Hulse. The ball was in the air for so long it should have been cut out before he was allowed a free header.

Then, eight minutes later, they doubled their lead when Shaun Derry's quick free kick was laid off by Hulse to Robbie Blake who had the time to produce a good finish from 20 yards that whipped into the top corner.

At that stage it seemed a rout could be on the cards, but Walcott's goal changed all that.

In an entertaining game both sides produced chances. Leeds hit the post and the bar direct from free kicks, while Saints had good chances.

Once again, it seemed that Saints couldn't get that elusive second goal, only this time it was to grab a draw rather than avoid one.

But Redknapp can take a lot from this game.

A point may have slipped by, but the performances of two young players should most certainly ensure they do not.