Targeted Will gets last laugh

SOUTHAMPTON boss Russsell Martin was delighted Will Smallbone stuck two fingers up to his critics.

The midfielder has had torrid abuse from a section of fans and had to cancel one of his social media accounts.

But Smallbone played a key part in this crucial win and Martin beamed: “He’s an amazing character. He’s a strong boy. It’s been a privilege to watch him and he got what he deserved today.”

Saints couldn’t afford to mess up again after their recent run of three defeats in four games, but they tried their best.

In the end, supersub Joe Aribo snatched three crucial points deep into stoppage time with a close-range goal.

At that point, the visitors had seen the 10-man home side draw level against all the odds when Juninho Bacuna drilled in a low range shot on 77 minutes.

Koji Miyoshi gave Blues a second-minute lead and when Bacuna rattled the post soon after, the visitors were rocking.

Adam Armstrong got them level with his 17th of the season but they still went in trailing at half-time after Jay Stansfield pounced to score.

David Brooks equalised with a superb curling shot and the impressive Che Adams made it 3-2 on 59 minutes.

When Blues skipper Dion Sanderson was given a straight red for a bodycheck on Smallbone, it looked a foregone conclusion – but that’s just not the Saints way.

Birmingham caretaker manager Mark Venus said: “That was just heartbreaking.” BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 7; Laird 7, Sanderson 6, Aiwu 7, Buchanan 6; Dozzell 6 (Drameh (68) 5), Paik 6 (Pritchard (68) 5); Miyoshi 8 (Sunjic (80) 5), James 6, Bacuna 8 (Hall (90) 5); Stansfield 8 (Roberts (90) 5) SOUTHAMPTON: Bazunu 7; Harwoodbellis 7, Stephens 7, Bednarek 7, Manning 7 (Rothwell (85) 5); Smallbone 7 (Aribo (70) 5), Downes 7 (Sulemana (85) 5), A Armstrong 8; Brooks 7 (Edozie (64) 6), Adams 9 (Mara (85) 5), S Armstrong 8 STAR MAN: Che Adams – Constant thorn in side of Birmingham and scored key goal. REF: James Bell 7