SAINTS closed out their pre-season schedule with a 0-1 defeat against Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar at St Mary’s on Saturday.

An unmarked Mayckel Lahdo powered the ball past Gavin Bazunu just after the hour mark to give the Dutch side a narrow victory.

Southampton went close to scoring on multiple occasions - primarily through Charly Alcaraz, who was denied an equaliser by Mat Ryan.

James Ward-Prowse was back in the starting line-up having missed out against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, while Paul Onuachu was named amongst the substitutes for the first time in pre-season.

Also returning to the St Mary’s turf was Jordy Clasie, who captained the visiting side, having previously spent four years as a Saint.

This was Russell Martin’s final opportunity to asses his side before they travel to Sheffield Wednesday next Friday for the opening game of the Championship season.

Saints had already been beaten by Benfica and AFC Bournemouth, but drew against Goztepe and thumped Reading ahead of the Championship season.

There was a heavy pre-season feel to the opening proceedings at St Mary’s before Jack Stephens was shown a yellow card for a cynical foul on Vangelis Pavlidis.

Alcaraz, who is always confident to shoot, had the effort of the game after a good one-two with Adam Armstrong, but his attempt curled wide of the post.

Stephens’ booking added a degree of bite to the action which saw Nathan Tella muscle the ball from Mees de Wit in the final third, however, Ryan was quick off his line to prevent the shot.

Saints were unable to play the killer ball as looked good in the build-up. Armstrong, having run the length of the pitch, fed Tella shortly after, but the winger was sliced down before he could shoot.

A half-time change saw Kyle Walker-Peters come on at right-back in place of Tino Livramento, who was seen limping after a tackle during the first half.

Stephens and Shea Charles both went close from a corner as the hosts almost got off to the perfect start to the second half.

A powerful strike from substitute Lahdo saw AZ take the lead on 65 minutes despite Bazunu’s best efforts to get his foot behind the Swedish winger’s effort.

Armstrong’s run gave Edozie a chance to square in the box, before AZ cleared a squirmish in the box, moments after Alcaraz had forced a good save from Ryan.

Ward-Prowse received a standing ovation from the home fans when he was replaced by Romeo Lavia with 20 minutes left to play.

Fresh from coming off the bench Sam Amo-Ameyaw played a good pass to set up Will Smallbone’s unsuccessful effort from a tight angle.

Saints: Bazunu, Livramento (Walker-Peters, h-t), Charles, Stephens, Manning (Lyanco, 74), Smallbone, Ward-Prowse (Lavia, 74), Alcaraz (Adams, 74), Tella (Bree, 84), Edozie (Amo-Ameyaw, 74), Armstrong. 

Unused subs: Bycroft, Onuachu, Djenepo.

Booked: Stephens.