Martin hopes Sunak enjoyed Southampton show despite 'no interest'

Saints fan Sunak celebrated from the stands as Charly Alcaraz and Che Adams helped the south coast side go a 17th match unbeaten to bolster their automatic promotion credentials.

Martin, who has been a member of the Green Party, said: “I hope he enjoyed himself just like anyone who comes here I hope they enjoy themselves.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in attendance at St Mary's (Image: Stuart Martin)

“I have no interest because I’m a football manager. I’m not sure we’re aligned on too much politically but I know he’s a fan and I hope he enjoyed watching the team.

“I’m some people would be excited about him being here but we had a job to do and we were here to win a football match and we did.”

After dominating the first half which had seen Taylor Harwood-Bellis strike a post, Alcaraz curled Saints into the lead for his fourth goal of the season.

Striker Adams then capitalised on a stunning through pass from Harwood-Bellis to double the lead and keep the pressure on top two Ipswich and Leicester.

But a crazy finale, in which Ryan Hardie pegged one back after pinching the ball off goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, threatened to take the shine off a seventh straight home win.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak and CEO Phil Parsons celebrate (Image: Stuart Martin)

“The last few minutes were mental,” said Martin. “We took our foot off the gas and it is frustrating.

“They’ll feel really aggrieved by the decision and it was so touch but it wouldn’t have been deserved. It was attack versus defence for so long. We should have scored before we did.

“It is a big learning curve for the lads as they should have had a clean sheet. I'm annoyed for Gavin because he shouldn't concede.

"But I'm not annoyed with him one bit. He's been amazing, it's been amazing to watch him grow and be so good.

"So many goals start with him with the ball at his feet and the intensity he shows, but he received the ball way too much in the last ten minutes, the ball should have been in their half and dominating there.”

Seconds before Alcaraz’s opener, Plymouth had the ball in the net after Bali Mumba had headed in on for the offside flag to go up.

Replays showed it was the incorrect decision, and Argyle’s caretaker boss Neil Dewsnip was left bereft by the call which left the Pilgrims without an away win this season.