Southampton 0 Coventry City 0

Last updated : 22 March 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Championship heavyweights Southampton and Coventry City remain precariously perched above the relegation zone as both sides fought out a tense goalless draw.

At a wet and blustery St Mary's it was difficult to establish what was worse, the South Coast weather or the football on display.

Goalkeepers Richard Wright and Kasper Schmeichel were scarcely tested as both teams gave a clear indication as to why they find themselves toiling in the nether regions of the Championship table.

It was the home side that started the more positive as they were searching for a much-needed confidence-booster following their five-goal drubbing at Hull City last weekend.

Gregory Vignal 's cross on five minutes looked destined for on-loan Stoke striker Vincent Pericard but Coventry defender Elliott Ward reacted quickly enough to hack the ball clear.

Another Vignal cross then caused problems as it was fizzed in by the French full-back before a deflection found its way to Jason Euell, waiting patiently on the edge of the penalty area, who fired wide.

Euell sent Pericard clear ten minutes later but the former Portsmouth frontman looked chronically short of pace and Schmeichel won the race to clear his lines.

As the Southampton crowd sensed a goal, the atmosphere improved and so did their football for a brief period as some well-worked passing moves presented late chances for Pericard again and striker partner Stern John but neither player managed to trouble Schmeichel.

After a first 45 minutes largely spent keeping warm, Wright was finally called into action early in the second half when he dived low to his right to keep out Michael Mifsud's low drive from 20 yards.

John would have felt he should have done better just before the hour mark as he rose at the far post to connect with Jhon Viafara's deep cross but his header was directed straight into the turf which took the sting out of it.

In the space of six frantic minutes both sides then missed their best chances of the game as first Coventry full-back Isaac Osbourne capitalised on some indecisive defending from Youssef Safri to set up a shooting opportunity but Wright was equal to his toe-poked effort.

Saints substitute Bradley Wright-Phillips, introduced to a mixed reaction from the home faithful, then got on the end of Euell's clipped cross from the by-line but the striker's half-volley from five yards was straight at Schmeichel.

Julian Gray kept Wright busy until the final whistle with a point-blank strike which was tipped over but in fairness the result accurately reflected two teams desperately in need of points but woefully short on quality.