Stern John scores the winner at St Mary's yesterday
Two-goal Stern John prayed in the Saints dressing room while his teammates hung on without him.
The Saints hero gave his club a 53rd-minute lead from Marek Saganowski's excellent pass before netting his stylish 69th-minute winner.
But having been booked for taking his shirt off while celebrating his first goal, he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a late tackle on Sheffield United defender Derek Geary in the 80th minute.
"I was in the dressing room on my knees while watching the last ten minutes on television!" he said.
"It's been a rollercoaster season and today was very emotional for everyone.
"For the neutral it must have been fantastic.
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"When we went 1-0 down against the run of play we were battering them but we showed resilience, character and stayed focused."
The Trinidadian feared his decision to remove his shirt in front of the Chapel Stand would prove costly while United laid siege to Richard Wright's goal during the closing stages.
"I don't think the referee was going to book me when I took my shirt off but the linesman called him over," he said.
"I broke the rules and I hold my hands up but it was emotional for me.
"I wanted to celebrate and the adrenaline took over.
"The last ten minutes were really nailbiting for us.
"It was a silly striker's tackle, it was my first of the season so the lads gave me plenty of stick for it afterwards.
"I'll have to watch my timing next time!"
Full story and 16-page football special with all the drama and emotion from St Mary's in today's Daily Echo.
Great Tackle / Great Goals / In Fact if anybody saved us it was you Stern!
How Davies was voted Player of the year and not you baffles me!
But hey we survived and that like I say in the main is down to your ability to score great goals long may it continue!
Great Tackle / Great Goals / In Fact if anybody saved us it was you Stern!
How Davies was voted Player of the year and not you baffles me!
But hey we survived and that like I say in the main is down to your ability to score great goals long may it continue!
Posted by: sainthog7, Here & now on 8:16am Mon 5 May 08
We done NP&the saints we are staying up but what now MR lowe&chums to take more money from the club sack the 11th manger bring in a yes man.Dont let him back Vote NO to Lowe and support the saints
We done NP&the saints we are staying up but what now MR lowe&chums to take more money from the club sack the 11th manger bring in a yes man.Dont let him back Vote NO to Lowe and support the saints
Posted by: Barnacle Bill, somewhere on the high seas on 10:23am Mon 5 May 08
The stupid boy wrote "I was in Kingsland yesterday....". For the first time in his life he was part of a proper football crowd at proper football club. I hope the wall of noise did not frighten him too much. The omens are not good for his blue chums for the FA cup as their form has dipped while Cardiff are on a role. In my forty years of following the Saints I have been to four finals, three at Wembley and one at Cardiff and have followed my team through Europe. I have also seen the greatest footballers of our time in a Saints shirt. Saints have never been in the fourth division and our club has never been sold for a pound! We have also had footballer of the year and the young footballer of the year in our team. The skates have a lot to do before they are half as good as us.
The stupid boy wrote "I was in Kingsland yesterday....". For the first time in his life he was part of a proper football crowd at proper football club. I hope the wall of noise did not frighten him too much. The omens are not good for his blue chums for the FA cup as their form has dipped while Cardiff are on a role. In my forty years of following the Saints I have been to four finals, three at Wembley and one at Cardiff and have followed my team through Europe. I have also seen the greatest footballers of our time in a Saints shirt. Saints have never been in the fourth division and our club has never been sold for a pound! We have also had footballer of the year and the young footballer of the year in our team. The skates have a lot to do before they are half as good as us.
Posted by: the totton scrutineer, TOTTON on 11:53am Mon 5 May 08
Well said BB let's hope Cardiff give 'em a real good thrashing and they end up with nothing .When Redknap finally goes they'll be finshed and we will pass them as we go up and they go down
Well said BB let's hope Cardiff give 'em a real good thrashing and they end up with nothing .When Redknap finally goes they'll be finshed and we will pass them as we go up and they go down
Posted by: Paddy B, The Exiled Saint, Salop, England on 6:11pm Mon 5 May 08
If it had not been for Stern John we would have relegated at least four games ago.
I too wonder why Davies got Player of the Year. However, before his injury he too play a fundamental role in our survival, so I do not begrudge him the honour.
I hope Nigel Pearson will be allowed to continue. I would have thought his current addition to his CV would be enough. I would however, maintain the rolling nature of any contract.
I also hope Cardiff win the FA Cup, not because of any Pompey v Saints malarky, but because of Dave Jones who still presents an excellent role-model in stress management to us all.
If it had not been for Stern John we would have relegated at least four games ago.
I too wonder why Davies got Player of the Year. However, before his injury he too play a fundamental role in our survival, so I do not begrudge him the honour.
I hope Nigel Pearson will be allowed to continue. I would have thought his current addition to his CV would be enough. I would however, maintain the rolling nature of any contract.
I also hope Cardiff win the FA Cup, not because of any Pompey v Saints malarky, but because of Dave Jones who still presents an excellent role-model in stress management to us all.
Posted by: Paddy B, The Exiled Saint, Salop, England on 6:11pm Mon 5 May 08
If it had not been for Stern John we would have relegated at least four games ago.
I too wonder why Davies got Player of the Year. However, before his injury he too play a fundamental role in our survival, so I do not begrudge him the honour.
I hope Nigel Pearson will be allowed to continue. I would have thought his current addition to his CV would be enough. I would however, maintain the rolling nature of any contract.
I also hope Cardiff win the FA Cup, not because of any Pompey v Saints malarky, but because of Dave Jones who still presents an excellent role-model in stress management to us all.
If it had not been for Stern John we would have relegated at least four games ago.
I too wonder why Davies got Player of the Year. However, before his injury he too play a fundamental role in our survival, so I do not begrudge him the honour.
I hope Nigel Pearson will be allowed to continue. I would have thought his current addition to his CV would be enough. I would however, maintain the rolling nature of any contract.
I also hope Cardiff win the FA Cup, not because of any Pompey v Saints malarky, but because of Dave Jones who still presents an excellent role-model in stress management to us all.
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