SAINTS drew 1-1 with Championship outfit Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Staplewood Campus this afternoon.

Shane Long grabbed the opener just minutes into the second period, before Moussa Djenepo upended Anthony Knockaert and Neeskens Kebano converted from the spot late on.

Michael Obafemi assisted his compatriot’s goal whilst operating in an unfamiliar number 10 role, finding Long just six yards from the net and in the perfect position to tap home.

New signing Romain Perraud got his first Saints minutes starting in the first half, with Ralph Hasenhuttl fielding different elevens in both halves with the exception of Mohammed Salisu, who played 77 minutes before being subbed.

Djenepo, who conceded the penalty, featured in left back for the second period amid major depth concerns in the full back positions, while Yan Valery occupied the right.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster was forced to make a full-stretch stop in the final moments of the game to prevent the Cottagers, who finished the fixture in the ascendancy, snatching a win.

Saints have two pre-season fixtures to come in the next week which features a mini-tour of Wales, facing Cardiff on Tuesday July 27 before a match against Swansea – who had their friendly cancelled today due to a Covid outbreak in their camp – on Saturday July 31.

The result will be the least important thing as Hasenhuttl reflects on the Fulham result, with minutes in the tank for a number of important players. Full teams used are below…

FIRST HALF

Team: McCarthy (GK); Walker-Peters, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Walcott, Elyounoussi; Tella, Adams.

SECOND HALF

Team: Forster (GK); Valery, Bednarek, Salisu (Olufunwa 77’), Djenepo; Diallo, Armstrong; Obafemi, Redmond; Long, Ings.