MIDFIELDER Will Smallbone admitted Saints should have been more "ruthless" as they let a lead slip in the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.

Teammate Adam Armstrong opened the scoring just before the interval but the Terriers levelled through Ben Jackson in the 87th minute. 

Following a dominant first half performance, which saw them control 82 per cent of possession and outfire the struggling home side, the second 45 minutes was different. 

The charges of Darren Moores saw an increased slice of the ball and managed nine shots on Gavin Bazunu's goal before Jackson's attempted cross went in. 

Speaking after the match, Smallbone told the Daily Echo: "We're disappointed, from how we set the game up after scoring right on half time and going in ahead.

Daily Echo: Southampton's Will Smallbone comes off injured during the Championship match between Southampton and West Brom at St Mary's Stadium. Photo by Stuart Martin.

"We went away from everything we had done well in the first half and that is what is disappointing. It's a point gained but we want to be winning these sorts of games."

He continued: "I'm not sure what it was, I think they changed their press a bit but we should be at a stage now where we can deal with it.

"The first half was good but we needed to keep going in the second, and be ruthless to score two or three goals.

"They could have scored some more goals but you could say the same about us in the first 45 minutes, we should have had a few.

"It's a performance we won't look back on fondly but there are two home games coming up now where we can hopefully get wins. 

"We will sit down and talk about this performance and then put that to bed in order to focus on Wednesday. The games come thick and fast so hopefully, we can get six points to finish the week."

Smallbone went close to opening the scoring before Armstrong netted his 10th of the campaign but was denied from range by backup goalkeeper Chris Maxwell. 

The 23 year old recovered from a knock picked up during the international break to start a 13th consecutive match for manager Russell Martin, missing just two fixtures all term.

The Republic of Ireland international, who was rewarded with a new contract at Saints earlier in the summer, has already contributed three goals this season. 

Smallbone also backed assistant manager Matt Gill, who was serving on the touchline in the absence of boss Martin. 

Daily Echo: Matt Gill will take charge of Saints against Huddersfield on Saturday

Martin, who was still in communication with the dugout via wire, was serving a one-match suspension due to picking up three bookings so far this season. 

Smallbone insisted: "It's the same message from all of the coaching staff. The gaffer is brilliant but so is Gilly so I wouldn't say that had any part to play in the performance or anything like that."