Verdict: Saints 1 Cardiff 0

No more the Total Football which so often subsided into Total Shambles, now the players adopted a solid-looking formation - four-four-two. Surman and Skacel in their natural berths on the left, James and Lallana at home on the right. And with McGoldrick ahead of Gillet in a midfield diamond, it left the in-form Saganowski to be partnered by the effervescent, back-in-favour Jason Euell.

But perhaps the most formidable elements of the set-up were the granite-looking centre-back pairing of Chris Perry and Jan Paul Saejis - finally providing, along with the tigerish Gillet and Saganowksi, the spine our team has so long lacked.

First half - application, assurance

From the off, this performance was not one of magical interplay or free-flowing pass and move, but instead the kind of hard-won fight that has so often proved the foundation for success in this league. Not unpleasant mind, just a gritty, terrific advertisement for Championship football.

With Euell and Saganowski defending from the front, chasing and harrying as a team in our position are well advised to do, Saints maintained a high line and it was no surprise when we took the lead on ten minutes, even if there was some bemusement in the manner of the goal.

Playing in his comfortable left-midfield role, Surman chipped the ball to the far right-wing, picking out Jason Euell perfectly. Euell's ball back into the box was blocked by Mark Kennedy's arm and despite obvious protestations, it was as clear a penalty as you'll see all season. What Kennedy was doing only he will know.

David McGoldrick stepped up to atone for his rather lame spot-kick against Watford and the well-taken effort sent the 'keeper the wrong way. And from that ten minutes to the last, the game ebbed and flowed as two evenly matched sides contested every ball and worked each other over in a game befitting two promotion chasers, not one featuring a relegation dodger.

The passing was crisp and mostly accurate. There was a confidence about the Saints defence with Cardiff creating just one real chance the whole game through, even if it did result in two saves from the impervious Super-Kelvin-Davies.

I have seen standing ovations my friends. They are mainly the preserve of the concert hall and opera, but yesterday I saw the crowd rise to applaud a save of such Banksian proportions as to be the save not just of this season, but several previous and many more to come. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise, between our sticks is currently the best shot-stopper alive.

I couldn't tell you who headed the ball goal-ward, but I can tell you he will lose sleep for years wondering how his perfectly directed, powerful header did not ripple the net at Saint Mary's on February 28th 2009.

And so, at half-time, the crowd arose again to applaud a forty-five minutes of application and assurance.

Second half - evenly balanced

The second half passed breezily in the same manner. Saints, a new found confidence emanating from the superlative Jan-Paul Saeijs, seemed content to soak pressure and work their openings down the flanks; hallelujah.

I forget how many years we have been in this division but at last we seem to have identified the opportunity provided by the full width of the pitch. It was not the use of pace, but great interplay between those in wide positions (Surman and James especially) which created a number of half and two-thirds chances Cardiff were fortunate to repel.

Not that this was one-way traffic, far from it. The Welshmen too had their half-chances, but save from his first half miracle, the Lord was not called upon again other than to claim the odd cross and command his box; perhaps he turned water into wine while I wasn't looking, who knows.

Likewise, we mixed up the use of short and long passing, as eager to hit the front men from afar as to thread them threw the eye of a sewing needle. Nothing inglorious, not direct alone, just good, quality football.

And then the whistle blew. It was over. And for the first time since we played in black and white, the Saints had scored and held on to a one goal lead; incredible. A feat belying our lowly position it's true, but no more than the industriousness of the players and their steely new manager deserve.

Verdict

Should I give the players a rating? Probably, but I won't. For this was not the story of singular heroism, but instead a tale of disciplined teamwork where every man gave of his all for the cause. A diligent, committed, confident display that would not be unwelcome at the home of the original hairdryer manager.

But it would be remiss not to single out a season-saving moment again.

And in the words of Carly Simon: Kelvin, baby you're the best!