SAINTS sunk deeper into relegation trouble after a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.

Nigel Pearson's side lost to a sixth minute Paul Parry goal at Ninian Park and other results were not kind to his side and they finished the day just one place and one point above the drop zone.

It leaves them plenty of work to do in the remaining five games of the season and desperately in need of picking up a bit of form as soon as possible if they are avoid the unthinkable drop out of the Championship at the end of this miserable campaign.

Saints had a great chance to take the lead just 52 seconds into the match.

Jhon Viafara backheeled the ball in the area to Mario Licka who curled his first time right-footed shot wide of the far post from 12 yards.

It was a lively start from Saints who created a half chance when Adam Hammill got down the left and picked out Stern John but, having to stretch, his volley went well over the bar.

But despite all that it was Cardiff who took the lead on six minutes.

Cardiff worked a quick throw to Steve Thompson, Saints appealed for offside but it wasn't given and from the right by-line his slide just managed to keep the ball in play and he cut back a cross to Parry whose first time volley from six yards out flew into the top corner for 1-0.

The new formation Pearson was employing meant that Licka, Viafara, Hammill and at times Jason Euell were trying to get up quickly to support him but the trouble was they were struggling to get the ball into him.

Saints did create another glimmer of a chance on 24 minutes when a chipped ball from the left picked out the run of Viafara but he sidefooted wide from a tight angle.

But a minute later Saints could count themselves lucky to be just one goal behind when Gavin Rae laid the ball into the path of Joe Ledley whose sidefooted shot from ten yards out was well saved by the feet of Richard Wright.

Moments later Peter Whittingham fired in an effort from 20 yards that flashed over the bar.

Licka whipped a corner across the face of the six-yard box on the half hour mark but nobody could get on the end of it.

Saints did have the ball in the net on 36 minutes but John's finish into the far corner was ruled out for offside and there were few protests as the ball had reached him via a tackle.

After Rae had a slashed an effort over the bar Licka looked as though he was going to get through only for a good last ditch tackle from Aaron Ramsey to deny him.

Saints managed a first shot on target in stoppage time with Wayne Thomas' overhead kick landing in the arms of Peter Enckleman but at half-time it was still Cardiff leading 1-0.The second half started much as the first has ended.

The game was pretty scrappy with Cardiff looking the sharper in attack but Saints still in the game.

They should have equalised on 52 minutes when Saints got the ball back into the six-yard box after Thomas' header from a corner had been saved by Enckleman.

It came quickly to John at the far post but he failed to get any kind of a decent connection on the ball and it went almost between his legs and trickled wide.

There was no questioning John's contact with the ball on 59 minutes when he took down Viafara's rightwing cross on his chest and spun and hit the ball from six yards out.

It seemed destined for the back of the net but Glenn Loovens somehow managed to get across and block it with a superb sliding tackle.

Saints made their first change on the hour mark with Bradley Wright- Phillips coming on for Viafara.

Saints switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Hammill on the right of midfield, Licka on the left and Wright- Phillips partnering John in attack.

Whittingham came close with a strike from 25 yards on 63 minutes when he cut in from the right but his left-footed shot flashed wide of the target.

Hammill tried an audacious chip cutting in from the right five minutes later but it floated over the bar.

Saints had suddenly stepped their game up and for the first time looked the better team and as if they would create another decent chance.

Cardiff made their first switch on 66 minutes with Trevor Sinclair replacing Whittingham.

Euell had to be strong in the centre of his own six-yard box as Cardiff threatened after the referee ignored the linesman's flag for offside. He was but got injured in the process and was replaced by Andrew Surman who went to the left of midfield with Licka moving to the centre.

Saints made their final change on 79 minutes with Vincent Pericard coming on for Licka as Saints went for a 4-3-3 formation.

Surman tried his luck from 25 yards with nine minutes remaining but his shot went over the bar.

Saints were really pushing Cardiff back and the Welsh side were wobbling and just holding on for the final whistle.

Hammill got a shot on target from outside the area on 84 minutes but it was straight at Enckelman who got down and held on to the ball.

But after a Hammill free kick was lobbed straight behind and he started a furious row with Wright- Phillips Cardiff regained their composure.

Saints were given a lift when the fourth official held up the board and showed four minutes of stoppage time.

Thomas became the first player in the book after a tussle for the ball before Cardiff made a second switch with Riccardo Scimeca replacing Thompson.

That proved to be virtually the last action of the match and ended with another defeat for Saints on the road.