JUST WHEN it seemed a saviour had come to answer the prayers of Saints fans, disaster struck once again.

Following a desperately disappointing defeat at Birmingham at midweek, there was eager anticipation to see how the team would react at home to Everton yesterday.

They responded in the best way possible. Well, so nearly.

In their best performance of the season, Saints absolutely battered Everton for 86 minutes. Sadly, it wasn't quite enough for a vital win.

However, Saints were truly rampant and at the heart of it all was new signing Henri Camara.

The Senegalese international striker was on fire.

His electric pace was breathtaking, his skill mesmerising and the impetus he added to Saints' attacking play deeply refreshing.

All over the pitch, Saints were dominant.

Every position, every individual and collective battle was won against an Everton team fourth in the table and looking good to claim a Champions' League spot.

Harry Redknapp's new-look side, which included all five of his transfer window signings, looked revitalised.

At last, the team had shape, the midfield was fluid and the side kept possession.

They varied their methods of attack, the defence was strong and the icing on the cake was the performance of Camara.

But, when the final whistle went, the look on the faces of the players was sadly all too familiar.

Moments earlier, it seemed they would gallop off the pitch, hugging, congratulating, a new spirit of optimism washing over the whole of St Mary's as it had done with every minute that passed during the match.

But, rather than a gallop, it was a trudge - a miserable trudge.

Yet again, three points at home had slipped away in injury-time.

Yet again, just like it had done against Middlesbrough, a deserved three points at home had slipped away in injury-time.

To hear Redknapp and Nigel Quashie after the game was slightly re-invigorating.

Both, though naturally highly disappointed, realised that maybe a corner had been turned.

This new-look Redknapp side looks to have everything required to keep the club in the Premier-ship.

The major question mark remains over whether it's all come a little too late? We can only hope not, but time will tell.

The game started all too predictably with James Beattie scoring on his return to St Mary's.

With just four minutes gone, Tim Cahill's header was saved by Paul Smith but the rebound fell to Beattie who rasped home his first Premiership goal for Everton.

He looked offside, but it wasn't given.

It just seemed the writing was on the wall for Saints to lose again.

But this was a different team and from then until the last kick of the match, save one other effort from Beattie, Saints dominated.

Camara's pace was the main threat and Nigel Martyn had to pull off some top stops through- out the match to keep the score down while the referee helped by not awarding Saints a blatant penalty when David Weir handled in the area.

But for all the skillful play and attractive football Saints possessed their opener was as route one as they come. Rory Delap, impressive at right back, hurled a long throw into the area and Peter Crouch rose highest to head home.

Everton were desperately clinging on for half-time and Alan Stubbs had to clear another Crouch effort off the line.

The Toffees changed tactics and personnel during the second period but, whatever they tried, Saints responded. They deservedly went 2-1 up on 54 minutes when Camara played a neat one-two with David Prutton, accelerated into the area and lifted the ball over Martyn.

Saints continued to look a threat and didn't sit back.

Everton were forced into hitting hopeful long balls and it seemed just a matter of whether Saints would get a third rather than whether Saints would win.

But then, deep into injury time, disaster struck.

Crouch broke quickly in attack and opted to shoot. Martyn claimed the ball, pumped it long, Marcus Bent burst past Calum Davenport and unleashed a brilliant shot that rifled into the top corner.

It was the last meaningful kick of the match and a heartbreaker for Redknapp's men.

But at least now there is hope. You can see how games can be won - they just need to do it.