Ralph Hasenhuttl said Saints paid the price for being “too comfortable” after going two goals up against Derby.

Goals at the start of either half from Nathan Redmond put Saints in control of their FA Cup third round tie at Pride Park.

However, a sloppy three minutes saw the Rams hit back to make it 2-2 before a frantic finish in which neither side could prevent an unwanted replay.

Hasenhuttl said: “I think we showed 60 very good minutes but then we felt too comfortable, I think.

“It’s a Cup game and a typical one because the opponent never gives up fighting to come back.

“It was sloppy losing the ball before the 2-1 and not that sharp defending that we have to and the opponent makes two goals.

“At the end I have seen two teams who both want to win, chances here, chances there, so we have to do it once again.”

He added: “They felt for my opinion too comfortable after the 2-0 because it was a very good performance until that moment.

“After the break the opponent tried to pay with more long balls because they felt with our midfield pressing there was no way to go through and they changed a little bit their tactic.

“For a long time we didn’t give any chances away and after the 2-0 they felt too sure they win the game.”

Both teams will have the knowledge of their potential fourth round opponents before the replay with the draw taking place on Monday night.

But the extra game is one that neither side wants, even though for Saints it could mean more chances for young players like 19-year-old Callum Slattery, who made his debut at Derby and impressed Hasenhuttl.

“I think he made a good game with the number six doing it well in a new system,” reflected the Saints manager.

“I think the automatism they showed from the beginning was very balanced and with good habits.

“I think it showed that we can learn also very quickly a new formation, a new shape, and that’s what we needed.

“It was a little surprising for Derby County and in the end it is a pity because we have one more game and that’s really want I don’t want to have.”