Marian Pahars scored on his return to action - then made himself available for Saturday's trip to QPR.

The Latvian gave Saints a 19th minute lead when he tapped home from ten yards three months after suffering medial ligament damage, writes SIMON WALTER.

Pahars was otherwise quiet but played for an hour as the second string extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-1 draw against West Ham in front of manager George Burley at Staplewood.

He said: "It depends what the manager thinks but if he needs me, I'm ready.

"The knee is obviously not 100 per cent yet and he is aware of that but I'm training all the time and always wanted to play tonight.

"It's just a matter of time before it is settled completely.

"It could still be painful for a few weeks, maybe even months, but I know all about playing through pain. I just have to push on."

Pahars has not played since suffering his knee injury against Leeds in November - after scoring on his first competitive start for the club since April 2004.

He added: "The knee is still sore, I can't blast the ball with my right foot but I can place it and that's the most important thing.

"It was good to get 65 minutes and to score with my only chance. I'm looking forward, my fitness is better so I'm there, I'm ready."

Pahars' return was not the only good news for Saints last night.

The Latvian was overshadowed by an outstanding performance from teenage goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski who showed just why he is so highly rated by Burley and goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster.

The 18-year-old Pole, who had a trial with Hearts when Burley was there last summer, denied West Ham a deserved win with several outstanding saves, especially in the first half.

The Hammers hit back in the 48th minute, when Hogan Ephraim's cross from the right was tapped in by Czech Petr Mikolanda.

It was the least they deserved. England youth international Mark Noble twice hit the woodwork and Bialkowski was in inspired form all night.

Hammers reserve team coach Kevin Keen said: "We could have scored four or five if it wasn't for their goalkeeper."

Reserve team coach Stewart Henderson said: "He's looked good in training but how you perform in games is the acid test and he was excellent.

"His handling was very good and he made some excellent saves.

"He's agile for a big lad and for 18 he looked very useful. He played very, very well."

Henderson added: "West Ham had the better of the first half. We worked hard but struggled to cope in possession.

"We wasted it a bit and it was difficult to get the ball back off them again but credit to them, they played well and had one or two decent players out there.

"We dug in and in the second half I thought we started to turn things around the tide turned, especially in the last 25 minutes."

Several managers of Football League clubs were at Staplewood last night.

Sean O'Driscoll (AFC Bournemouth), Iffy Onuora (Swindon) and Mike Newell (Luton) were just three in attendance and chairman Rupert Lowe and director of football Sir Clive Woodward were also there to watch a primarily young Saints team in action.

Academy left back Gareth Bale limped off with a back injury in the first half but is expected to be available for this weekend's under-18 game against Fulham at Staplewood.

Saints: Bialkowski, Thomson, Mills, Richards, Bale (Lancashire 15), Folly, Sparv (Dutton-Black 60), Gillett, Griffit, Pahars (McGoldrick 60), Best. Subs not used: Condesso, McNeil.