AFTER two thrilling games in which the Addicks scored eight and let in six, they came back down to earth with a bump on Saturday as Southampton claimed their first ever league win at their new St Mary's Stadium.

Both sides struggle to generate any quality to their play and, although Steve Brown hit the post in the closing stages, Charlton manager Alan Curbishley admitted his side didn't deserve much from the game.

"Only Dean Kiely can look at himself in the mirror after that performance," he said.

"Saints deserved all three points, and if there had been six on offer, they would have deserved all them as well. There's a few players who have got to have a long hard look at themselves."

With Shaun Bartlett playing in place of Jason Euell, who missed the trip due to a bereavement, Curbishley was forced to alter his starting line-up, and Graham Stuart also returned from injury for Scott Parker.

The match was won after 60 minutes, when James Beattie managed to elude Chris Powell, and his cross was met by a solid header from Marian Pahars for the only goal of the game.

Kiely made a magnificent save from Pahars to keep the Addicks in the game. Then with just seconds remaining, Steve Brown almost added to his tally of two goals for the season, but his thunderous drive hit the inside of the post and rebounded clear of the Southampton goal.

November 27, 2001 12:18