SAINTS midfielder Joe Aribo admitted he felt "relief" from his last-minute winner as he blamed himself for the Birmingham equaliser.

The Nigerian international made it 4-3 in the 96th minute at St Andrew's on Saturday, in a chaotic Championship tie. 

Aribo's goal followed strikes from Adam Armstrong, David Brooks and Che Adams earlier in the fixture. 

It looked like Saints would not take all three points despite facing 10 men when Juninho Bacuna made it 3-3 in the 77th minute.

Aribo gave away possession in the phase of play leading up to that goal, although it went out of play for a Blues throw-in first. 

However, he told the Daily Echo: "For me, it was such a relief. When you break down the game, I felt like their third goal was my fault.

Daily Echo: Joe Aribo celebrates his late winner at Birmingham CityJoe Aribo celebrates his late winner at Birmingham City (Image: PA)

"I know it was a different phase of play but I am harsh on myself so in my head I said ‘I have to… we have to win the game no matter what’.

"I am literally screaming from the top of my lungs, I was so happy about it," the 27 year old added. 

"I have seen a few photos from the celebrations - you get the chills and you are reminded about how you felt."

It was the first time in the former Charlton and Rangers star's career that he had hit a last-minute winner in a full professional match.

Aribo did net the goal to make it 3-2 against Fulham's under-21s when playing for Charlton in the EFL Trophy in 2017.

He said: "It’s not an experience you get often so what a feeling - at the time, I didn’t know what to do. I was just screaming when it happened."

Daily Echo: Joe Aribo hit his third goal in seven Championship appearancesJoe Aribo hit his third goal in seven Championship appearances (Image: PA)

"There were so many ups and downs along the way to winning 4-3, we went behind, went ahead, they came back and then we won it.

"That shows the togetherness and the fight in the team - especially to score last-minute winners. We won’t stop until the final whistle goes."

Aribo's goal was his third of the Championship season, with previous notches against Swansea City and Hull City in his last six appearances. 

The former Staines Town midfielder has slotted straight back into form following January's Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.