Southampton FC 1-1 Middlesbrough: Daily Echo player ratings

Adam Armstrong's 19th Championship goal of the season set Russell Martin's on the path to victory before an added time leveller. 

Saints have nine league fixtures remaining to get themselves back into contention for automatic promotion. 

Here is how we rated each player... 

Russell Martin admitted he was angry at full-time (Image: Stuart Martin)

Starters 

Gavin Bazunu - 6. 

The goal conceded was not his fault, only made a couple of saves throughout the match but his distribution was reliable. Not a bad afternoon on an individual basis. 

Kyle Walker-Peters - 6. 

Great start to the game going forward, beating his man and getting balls into the box. Performance tailed off with terrible marking of the scorer for Middlesbrough. 

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7.

Strong in possession and should have had an assist for a great chipped ball over the top to Adams. Middlesbrough's goal was on his side but not his man.

Jack Stephens - 7. 

Very good afternoon for the skipper, who has not played his natural position too often. Tested defensively early and passed. Turned on the afterburners to catch a one-on-one in second half. 

James Bree - 7. 

Staked his claim to start again. Steady throughout, had one moment of calm in a tricky situation on the edge of his area to knock it over a presser and progress. Won all of his duels. 

Flynn Downes - 7. 

Praised by Martin after the match for being everywhere. Standard performance from the loanee, with 97 per cent pass accuracy. Booked for stopping a counter in the first half. 

Will Smallbone - 6. 

Steady performance for the Irishman. Dangerous ball into the back post early on but no connection. Shot over inside the area in the closing stages. 

Stuart Armstrong - 7. 

Involved in both of the big chances Adams missed. His shot blocked into his compatriot's path for the sitter. Stats say not the most reliable in possession. 

Adam Armstrong - 7. 

Good touch and very tidy finish to capitalise for the goal. Should have scored the second from close range after the break. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6. 

As always looking to beat his man. His ball into the box hacked into Armstrong's path for opener. Missed a chance through on goal but was involved in a lot of the bigger attacking moments. 

Che Adams - 3.

Nightmare afternoon for the striker. Finn Azaz hit the post after he lost possession coming short. He then had a goal ruled out for offside, missed a one-on-one and then fired wide an open goal from six yards within 180 seconds. Subbed off soon after. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana was often involved (Image: Stuart Martin)

Substitutes 

David Brooks - 5.

Subbed on in 63rd minute. Did not have the biggest impact, managing 16 touches and no shots of chances directly created. 

Ryan Fraser - 7. 

Subbed on in 63rd minute. Has not played for a while through injury but made 100 per cent of his passes, 100 per cent of his dribbles and won 100 per cent of his duels. Just missed the finish. 

Sekou Mara - 5. 

Came on in the 85th minute and did not get into the game. Had just two touches before full-time. 

Joe Aribo - N/A.

Introduced in added time after the equaliser. Put himself about and wanted the ball. 

Sam Edozie - N/A. 

Introduced in added time after the equaliser.