VIRGIL van Dijk admitted that he may have cost Saints victory against Hapoel Be’er Sheva after missing a golden opportunity in the 0-0 Europa League group stage draw in Israel.

Saints struggled to create throughout and the best chance fell to Van Dijk in the opening minutes at the Turner Stadium.

James Ward-Prowse’s excellent delivery found him at the back-post in space, but the Saints’ captain, who took the armband in Jose Fonte’s absence, wasn’t able to direct his header on target with the goal at his mercy.

Despite the miss, the central defender was ultimately pleased with a point in a caldron atmosphere in Be’er Sheva and to record a fifth clean-sheet in a row, which kept them at the summit of Group K after two games.

“With the crowd with them it was going to be tough,” he said. “I think we started off badly and they pressed us high.

“We gave them small opportunities, so they were full of confidence.

“But I think after half an hour, I think we had more control of the game, let the ball do the work and up until the break we were dominant.

“After the break it was the same story. We started a bit sloppy and at moments we played well.

“A point over here is a good result.

“I should have scored and we would have won the game then, but that happens.”

On his chance, Van Dijk said: “It was a great ball in, obviously. I thought the goalie was coming as well, but I should have done much better than that.

“I’m okay with the feeling that we kept a clean-sheet again after a long journey. It was a tough journey as well and now our focus is on Leicester.”

Saints were without key men Fonte, Steven Davis, Ryan Bertrand and hot-form striker Austin.

But Van Dijk insists their absence was not a factor in drawing a blank in Israel.

“We have plenty of quality in the squad and I think at times we showed our qualities, especially with ball possession,” he said.

“The only thing missing tonight was a goal, but we can be satisfied with a point.”

Saints now head to Leicester on Sunday looking to keep a six successive shutout.