FORGET that 'Mad Dog' nickname, Martin Allen proved why he is the Bees' Knees at Brentford.

Saints fans will naturally feel deflated at seeing their team concede a winning position for the eighth time of a pretty painful campaign, but the main theme of this fifth round FA Cup clash was the performance of a man who didn't even play.

From sounding off about ticket allocations to orchestrating and inspiring the Brentford team and crowd before, during and after this match, Allen wrapped himself around proceedings.

Most would probably dismiss his Saturday morning dive into the freezing Solent in front of his players as the behaviour of, well, an eccentric - to be polite.

Yet there was undoubtedly method in his madness.

"It was a bit daunting before I dived in, but it was daunting for the players to come here (St Mary's)," he later said by way of explanation.

Allen might not be normal. But then again, it is not normal for a side two divisions below the Premiership to recover from two goals down away from home against a top-flight team.

Unusual motivational tactics can be debated all day, but the bottom line is very simple. It worked for Brentford's players and also transferred itself to the away fans whose uplifting support and affection for their manager made an important difference to the whole mood of the occasion.

Saints manager Harry Redknapp went for an adventurous 4-3-3 line-up to incorporate Kevin Phillips, Peter Crouch and Henri Camara and it was perhaps inevitable that the back four would be exposed.

But still, Saints' inability to close out football matches from winning positions this season is hugely worrying.

Much has been made of all the changes over the last two seasons, but the greatest is in the psyche of the team when they find themselves in control of a game. Not so long ago, a chant of 'We shall not be moved' would ring around the stadium and there was an air of confidence about the outcome.

Now, though, supporters are nervous and are hoping rather than expecting. In fairness, it was something that emerged long before Redknapp's arrival but whether it is a case of nerve, confidence or concentration, Saints must somehow address this weakness.

On the positive side, Saints will still fancy their chances of taking their place in the quarter-finals, while Redknapp is unquestionably moulding a team that looks increasingly dangerous in attack.

That much was evident after just four minutes when Saints took the lead through Camara.

Phillips, back after a month out with an ankle injury, had slotted Graeme Le Saux in behind the Brentford defence and he coolly drew goalkeeper Stuart Nelson before presenting Camara with an easy finish.Indeed, Le Saux was proving a constant threat down the left and his partnership with Olivier Bernard looks very promising.

Saints forced a succession of first-half corners and throw-ins and were able to utilise the height of Crouch and Calum Davenport from these set-piece situations.

First Davenport was denied by the cross-bar and then Crouch forced an excellent save low to Nelson's left.

The use of Camara was giving Saints plenty of options further forward, but leaving holes in midfield, particularly on the right.

The Senegalese international was on hand for another tap-in after 36 minutes following a bizarre build-up.

Nelson drilled his clearance into the back of Phillips' head. The ball broke to Crouch and he skillfully put Phillips clear on goal.

The Saints striker shot and Nelson could only parry his save into the path of Camara.

At 2-0, Saints should really have been capable of keeping things tighter at the back while punishing the visitors on the break. But it was Redknapp's men who were caught with too many bodies forward, allowing Brentford back into the game minutes before half-time.

Sam Sodje found Isaiah Rankin, who surged into space down the left, cutting inside Claus Lundekvam and curling a classy finish past Smith.

In an instant, the feeling of inevitability about a comfortable Saints victory turned to edginess as Brentford were visibly lifted.

The end-to-end pattern continued and Crouch almost extended the lead when his far-post header was blocked, while Phillips hesitated a fraction when clear on goal to allow Michael Turner to make an excellent last-gasp tackle.

Despite riding their luck, Brentford always looked capable of scoring and they secured their 57th-minute equaliser when Sodje found space at the far post to convert Jay Tabb's looping cross.

To their credit, both teams went all out for the win, with Brentford's Andrew Frampton allowed several sights of goal.

But the best chances were being carved out by Saints, who almost avoided a replay after a string of near misses in injury-time.

First Crouch forced Nelson into another good save, while Lundekvam had his effort deflected wide.

Next came a moment of controversy.

Bernard had played the ball into the Brentford penalty area to find Phillips who volleyed home.

The linesman's flag was immediately raised but replays later showed that John Salako had played Phillips onside.

It was Camara who was in an offside position but he was not directly interfering with play.

Brentford, and particularly their manager, had perhaps earned their slice of fortune.