ANTTI NIEMI produced a man-of-the-match display on Saturday to secure Saints a point against Bolton - but he admits that nil-nil draws are not good enough.

It was the fourth such result for Saints in 12 Premiership matches this season, which have included seven clean sheets but only ten goals in attack.

Niemi said: "We have to do a lot better. I don't think we were on top and they had a few more chances than we did.

"An away point is always good and we know we are a difficult team to beat at the moment.

"But that should not be all. We want to be winning games and lots of nil-nils will not take us far.

"With three points for a win, draws are not good enough."

The Finn returned to the Saints side after missing last week's 2-0 defeat against Manchester City with the groin strain that forced him off against Bristol City in the Carling Cup.

But he showed he had lost none of his sharpness as he made outstanding saves in either half to deny Bolton danger man Jay-Jay Okocha.

"There were a couple of good saves, but they came at a good height," he said.

"I was pleased with my own game and it is another clean sheet, which guaranteed us a point.

"Our defence is always good, but we are just missing the creativity at the moment in midfield and up front.

"Jay-Jay Okocha is flying at the moment. Whenever you see Bolton he is the one creating the chances for them. He is the one who can take on people."

The match was marred by Michael Svensson's dismissal in the 86th minute when he picked up his second booking for a push on Brazilian Mario Jardel.

Niemi believes Svensson, who will now miss the match against Chelsea at St Mary's later this month, has been Saints best player this season and revealed he had urged the referee not to take action.

He said: "I didn't really see anything as I was concentrating on the free-kick. I don't think it was anything serious. It was just handbags really.

"I was trying to tell the ref just to use common sense and just to tell them to calm down. There was nothing nasty going on in the game.

"It is a shame because we will miss Michael as in my opinion he has been the best player we have had this season, but Danny Higginbotham has done well when he has played."

Niemi will not travel with Finland for international friendlies across the Atlantic next week and said he now felt back to full fitness after a difficult few months with injury.

He added: "I tested out my groin on Wednesday and it felt perfect.

"I've had some injuries since the end of last season and it was quite a big operation in the summer.

"When you have something like that it is always going to take some time, but everything feels fine now."