Nigel Pearson has backed Stern John to fight back after the Saints striker had a nightmare in front of goal against Burnley.

The Trinidad & Tobago striker, the club's leading scorer this season with 17 league goals, had two good chances to find a vital goal at St Mary's.

But he failed to connect with both of them as Saints' hopes of avoiding a disastrous second relegation in four seasons took a massive hit.

John's first chance arrived when Bradley Wright-Phillips' low cross found him in space on the penalty spot, but he kicked the air rather than the ball.

Eight minutes from the end John then missed again from a similar position as this time Jhon Viafara's centre picked him out and as he attempted to shoot on the turn mis-kicked horribly.

Though John was getting a bit of stick from sections of the Saints crowd, Pearson believes he will come good again before a truly miserable season for the club ends on Sunday, May 4.

He said: "He's our top scorer and if you wanted anybody to have those chances you'd want Stern to get them.

"It was not his day but he'll be there again.

"We've got to put this behind us as soon as possible - on another day it might have happened for us.

"It's been a disappointing day but we have to move on because there is no room to feel sorry for ourselves."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.