SAINTS 2 - BIRMINGHAM 0

James Beattie took his amazing goalscoring run to 11 in eight league matches as his double sunk Birmingham at St Mary's.

His latest brace maintained Southampton's unbeaten home record for the season and meant that Gordon Strachan's men have now won five of their last nine in the Premiership to move up to seventh in the table.

There were few chances in the first half but the best fell the way of Saints.

After Beattie had stormed down the left wing and pulled back from the by-line, Anders Svensson's shot was brillaintly saved by the feet of Nico Vaesen.

The Blues keeper also had to produce a smart stop from the recalled Brett Ormerod while teammate Damien Johnson had to head a Svensson corner off the line.

But in the second half Beattie converted two chances to take the three points.

On 58 minutes Bridge fired in a cross from the left which struck Darren Purse. Referee Jeff Winter said it was handball and pointed to the spot from which Beattie duly dispatched the kick.

It was his fifth succcesful penalty in eight league games, and his fourth in successive home matches after conversions against Fulham, Blackburn and Arsenal. He also scored a spot-kick winner at Villa Park.

With eight minutes remaining substitute Jo Tessem crossed from the right wing, Andres Svensson flicked the ball on with a neat backheel and Beattie tapped home at the far post for another three points.

Beattie is now top of the Premiership goal charts with 11 goals, one more than Newcastle's ex-Saint Alan Shearer, who grabbed a late winner at Aston Villa.

Full match report in tonight's 'Pink' and Monday's Daily Echo