George Burley is stealing himself for a nail-biting final day of the season after guiding his Saints side to a priceless 1-0 victory over Norwich at Carrow Road.

Leon Best's well-taken 30th-minute goal was enough to take the Saints into the top six going into their final game of the season against already-relegated Southend at St Mary's.

But they are only there by the skin of their teeth, with Stoke level on points and goal difference but behind them because they have scored far fewer goals.

A win should be enough for Saints next Sunday but not if the sides above them take maximum points and Stoke win their game, against QPR at Loftus Road, by a bigger margin.

So Burley is taking absolutely nothing for granted as he attempts to take a side into the end-of-season shoot-out for the sixth time.

"The situation is more than a little complicated and it could all come down to goal difference but I'd certainly take the situation we are in right now," he said.

"We've just recorded a very good away win and our final game is in front of our own fans.

"Basically we have just got to go all out to win that but obviously it will be a case of keeping in touch with results from other grounds to see where we are.

"It promises to be a very exciting afternoon and it's one I'm really looking forward to.

"All I can say at the moment is we are in a very good position.

"Last season we weren't anywhere near the top six but we've changed the personnel around a lot and now we are moving in the right direction, with a lot of good young players coming through".

Burley was pleased with his side's confident performance against a Norwich side who had nothing but pride to play for.

"I'm delighted with the way we went about our business. I thought we were very good in the first half, created plenty of chances and fortunately managed to put one of them away.

"In the second half I thought it was a good solid display.

"Norwich have got some dangerous players in their line-up and if you give them space they can punish you but I thought we defended very well and still looked dangerous when we moved forward.

"All in all it was a good day for us.

"I said we would have to win our final three games to stand a chance of reaching the play-offs and we have won the first two, which is very pleasing.

"Now we've got to go out to try and win another one".

Norwich manager Peter Grant had no complaints with the result.

"I thought the better team won," he said.

"They were stronger than us, better than us and made their experience tell.

"Because of the injuries we've had recently I had to put out a patched-up side and that's the last thing you want to do against a side as good as Southampton.

"Unfortunately I didn't have any choice and had to play a number of players out of position".

For the best report, reaction and pictures from Carrow Road, don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo.