THIS season's first south coast derby finished with honours even as Saints reserves hit back to grab a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

Over 3,000 fans turned up to watch the St Mary's showdown, which passed virtually without incident.

Saints had specified that only season-ticket holders and members would be allowed into the ground, and only one stray Pompey fan was escorted from the stands.

Warren Hunt gave the visitors the lead only for Arron Davies to equalise with 12 minutes remaining.

Reserve team boss Steve Wigley was not overly-impressed with his side's display but admitted it was edgy for everybody - including the referee.

He said: "It was very tense first half. I was hoping we would go out and play football.

"The supporters came and created a great atmosphere and I think they'd have gone home very disappointed if we'd have been beaten.

"I thought the officials weren't the best and were of the mindset that it was a local derby and there was going to be no physical contact.

"In the first 20 minutes, all it was was whistle, whistle, whistle.

"I think people would have liked to have seen people get a little more closer to each other and have a little bit more excitement, but you have to live with that."

Of his high flying reserves, who have been beaten only once so far this season, Wigley added: "I look at it as two points lost but on our first half performance we didn't deserve any more than that.

"We didn't pass the ball, we didn't have enough options and I felt sorry for my back four because they didn't have a lot to hit in front of them.

"But second half once we went 1-0 down we came alive and created some opportunities so being 1-0 down I suppose I have to happy with a draw.

"That team have had enough games in a Southampton shirt this season to provide more creativity than that and they gave the ball away too much."

Experienced heads such as Danny Higginbotham, David Prutton and Garry Monk all turned out, while Darren Kenton came through his first full 90 minutes in a Saints shirt unscathed.

But not on the field was Marian Pahars, who suffered a further setback in his recovery from ankle and groin injuries.

The Latvian striker limped off during last week's reserve game at Charlton after taking a knock on his ankle but resumed training before feeling a recurrence of discomfort in his left groin.

Also missing was Fitz Hall, who has a chest infection.