Alan Pardew insists the play-offs remain Saints’ target this season – but admitted his team are running out of points to win.

Saints took an early lead at Brentford last night thanks to Lloyd James but after missing a great chance to double their advantage early in the second half were indebted to goalkeeper Kelvin Davis for keeping them ahead until seven minutes from the end when he was eventually beaten.

The game ended in a draw and left Saints still 13 points off the play-off places but with only 20 games to go – and knowing they could slip further behind if Huddersfield win their game in hand.

Pardew said: “It’s our aim but we’re running out of points to win.

“We’ve dropped two here, we dropped two more at Millwall last time but having said that they are two tough games.

“You know what to expect at Brentford.

“The pitch didn’t do us any favours and you look into the way Brentford play and I think they did what they had to do very well.

“They fought as team and battled and had some quality on the pitch, especially Dickson who was outstanding.”

For full story and more reaction to last night's 1-1 draw at Brentford don't miss today's Daily Echo.