TWO-GOAL striker Dexter Blackstock sent out a defiant message to head coach Steve Wigley in Saints reserves' 3-0 win over Watford last night.

Blackstock has endured a frustrating start to the season, having missed the first few weeks through injury and seen academy peer and strike partner Leon Best leap ahead of him in the first team reckoning.

But former Oxford United striker Blackstock capped a strong return to fitness with an impressive display against the Hornets.

His pace, power and aerial threat gave the visitors problems all evening and in addition to his two goals, neither of which were struck cleanly, he could have had a further FOUR.

Wigley may feel that Blackstock needs to show a bit more composure with his finishing before being ready for Premiership football, but equally, a striker has to get in the right places to miss chances.

Paul Telfer was another player aiming to prove a point to Wigley after his omission from the first-team squad which travelled to Northampton.

From right midfield Telfer showed his experience with a good range of passing and dangerous crossing and his long throw-ins were also a useful asset with one leading to Saints' first goal.

Telfer linked up well (as he did in the FA Cup Final) with right-back Chris Baird, who was playing his second reserve team match after recovering from a knee operation and will be looking to win a first team place.

Baird skippered the reserves against Watford and got forward well on numerous occasions.

Like the other members of Saints' back four, he didn't face one of his more testing matches defensively but he looked solid.

On a couple of occasions, though, Baird's lack of match fitness showed and he may need at least one more reserve game before he comes back into first team contention.

Danny Higginbotham is another player out of the first team loop and he and fellow central defender Alaedinne Yahia were given little chance to impress last night.

When called upon Higginbotham looked reasonably solid but his control and distribution were often lacking at times for a Premiership player.

Yahia and fellow new boy Kenwyne Jones, the Trinidadian midfielder, both showed signs of promise but look a bit too raw to be considered for first-team action just yet.