Daily Echo:

MAURICIO Pellegrino’s first game in charge of Saints ended in a goalless draw this afternoon.

The new manager used 22 different players during a 0-0 stalemate against Swiss Super League side St Gallen at the Sportanlage Kellen ground.

A game of few clear cut openings saw Pellegrino field two different sides containing a mixture of experience and youth.

Six of the players used – Jake Flannigan, Aaron O’Driscoll, Nathan Tella, Tyreke Johnson, Alfie Jones and Armani Little – have never played a first team game for the club.

In addition, defender Florin Gardos has only appeared in one competitive first team game since February 2015.

And striker Sam Gallagher’s last competitive appearance for Saints was back under Mauricio Pochettino in 2013/14.

Fifty five days after a 1-0 loss to Stoke in Saints’ final league game of 2016/17, the Pellegrino era was underway with Dusan Tadic going close in the seventh minute with a free kick that whistled inches wide.

Tella had a chance to break the deadlock just before the half hour mark, but his effort – following a cross from Sam McQueen – was blocked.

Fraser Forster was only called upon to make one major first half save, diving to his low to stop a shot from Peter Tschernegg.

Pellegrino brought on Shane Long, Manolo Gabbiadini and Gallagher at half-time, but Saints still failed to score during the second 45 minutes.

Keeper Alex McCarthy saved well from a Boris Babic header 11 minutes from time, before Saints twice went close late on.

Gabbiadini saw a low effort well saved three minutes from the end, before Long also had a chance.

Saints 1st half: Fraser Forster, Jake Flannigan, Aaron O’Driscoll, Maya Yoshida, Sam McQueen, Oriol Romeu, Jordy Clasie, Nathan Tella (Tyreke Johnson, 40), Soufiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, Charlie Austin.

2nd half: Alex McCarthy, Jeremy Pied, Alfie Jones, Florin Gardos, Armani Little, Pierre Hojbjerg, Tyreke Johnson, Steven Davis, Shane Long, Sam Gallagher, Manolo Gabbiadini.