Saints and West Brom scoreless

WBA 0, Southampton 0 (half-time)

Marian Pahars missed a golden opportunity to give Southampton the first half lead against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The Latvian front man had struck a midweek winner against Everton but found his killer instinct lacking against Gary Megson’s battlers.

Pahars was played clean through by Rory Delap but lofted his shot over the advancing Russell Hoult and wide of goal.

And Phil Gilchrist had to hack James Beattie’s header away from under the posts on the stroke of the interval.

Roberts chased a long through ball in the 35th minute and struggled to get past Claus Lundekvam’s illegal challenge before referee Clive Wilkes blew for a free-kick on the corner of the box.

But Balis’ set-piece clattered straight into the Saints’ wall and left Lundekvam on the turf requiring treatment.

Hughes had a good chance five minutes from time when Wallwork set Clement scampering clear on the left flank and his cross narrowly eluded the stretching front man in front of goal.

And Balis came close on the stroke of half-time when he played a neat one-two with Roberts before cutting in from the right and flashing his shot across goal.

In stoppage time Beattie had a glorious chance when Albion’s defence hesitated over a long ball and the striker headed over Hoult, only for Phil Gilchrist to hack the ball clear.