YOU cannot underestimate the importance of momentum in football - and right now Saints are heading in the right direction.

Though there were a few murmurings of disappointment over the 1-1 draw at Charlton, after Saints led for much of the game, the result must still be viewed as a very good one.

In Saints' situation, to go to The Valley and come away with a point is good going. If you can get all three that's a bonus, but you know that to stay up you have to perform and pick up the wins at home.

There have been a couple of false dawns in recent months where it has seemed that things were getting better only for them come crashing back down again.

But they were born of hope of an improvement rather than a genuine belief. This time round things are a little different.

Not only have Saints picked up four very good points in their last two games, but the performances have been so much stronger.

Chris Perry and Chris Lucketti have made such a difference.

Also don't discount the influence of Inigo Idiakez. His legs might not last as long as they once did, he might not be the high energy player he once was, but for the hour or so he can give every week he is absolutely key as well.

His composure on the ball is second to none.

Richard Wright has done well too, as has Jason Euell.

What you notice when you look at these guys is that they are the older players, the more experienced, seasoned pros.

Nigel Pearson has put the pressure on the right sets of shoulders and it's paying dividends.

At Charlton you could see these experienced heads knew exactly the right things to do at the right time.

You could see them coaching Andrew Surman through his first full game at left back.

Surman has a massive amount of talent but to come into a totally different position in a team under pressure is not easy - the experienced players made it as comfortable as it could be.

Experience this season has taught us not to get too carried away too quickly. There must be a part of every Saints fan that fears a collapse at home to Burnley.

But, if Pearson can avoid both nerves and complacency creeping into his squad for just a little longer, then they will get safe.

Saints' goal may have owed a lot more to luck than judgement, but they were full value for their point.

It wasn't a game of many outstanding chances but it meant a lot to both sides for different reasons.

Charlton's tactics were rather hard to fathom.

You expected them to unleash the lively Jerome Thomas at a left back in Surman who had never started game in that position before, just to see what he's made of.

You also anticipated Lee Cook getting chalk on his boots on the other flank and using his searing pace to test out Jermaine Wright.

But Cook continually drifted infield and for most of the match Charlton played Zheng Zhi, really a central player, on the right and he drifted inside as well.

The result was that, until the final stages when Charlton got on top, they played very narrowly which was meat and drink for Perry and Lucketti, who looked totally at ease.

For their part Saints were compact and hard to break down and played some good counter-attacking stuff.

Saints' goal on 11 minutes was truly bizarre. Darren Randolph palmed Idiakez's free-kick from 25 yards to his left, Euell crossed to the far post where Stern John totally mishit his shot. The ball looped up and dropped just under the bar.

Randolph caught it but then collided with his own defender Patrick McCarthy and dropped the ball into his own net.

Charlton created a few half chances in the first half but never tested Richard Wright.

Both sides appeared a little fortunate to get away with potential red cards for fouls by the last man in the second period.

First Bradley Wright-Phillips looked to be tugged back by Majid Bougherra, then Lucketti did the same to Leroy Lita. The referee gave nothing.

Wright-Phillips had a reasonable chance that he blazed over before Charlton equalised on 69 minutes.

Cook whipped in a free-kick from the left that Andy Gray rose highest to head home.

From then on, and with substitutions correcting Charlton's style of play, Saints were forced to hold on.

Wright made a terrific save, charging out to block Darren Ambrose who seemed certain to score after being played in by Lita's header back across goal.

Thomas had a great chance right at the death but missed the target when through one-on-one.