WILL Smallbone insists it is "promising" to see Saints carve out clear openings, even if they are struggling to put them in the back of the net.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's men saw their second pre-season friendly of the summer end in a goalless stalemate against Austrian outfit Klagenfurt this evening.

But that did not quite tell the whole story, with Smallbone and Ibrahima Diallo striking the woodwork, before Adam Armstrong saw a penalty saved.

The 0-0 draw follows Saturday's 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig, in which Saints' only goal came courtesy of an Armstrong header.

“I felt good,” admitted Smallbone. “I think it was good for me personally to get another 45 minutes so close to the game on Saturday.”

“I think it was a good test, they’re a good side and I think we showed some good glimpses of what we’ve been working on in training. I think if we could provide that cutting edge of finishing the chances when they come the score could have been different today but I think the fact that we’re getting into those situations is promising."

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