ALEX McCarthy admits losing to Newcastle was a bitter pill to swallow despite his first-half heroics.

The goalkeeper made three crucial saves from close range in quick succession to deny the Magpies taking the lead.

He then denied Matt Ritchie from the penalty spot in what was a thrilling opening 45 minutes at St Mary’s.

Despite his sterling performance, McCarthy was gutted with how the game ended.

He said: “I was disappointed with the game against West Ham because it changed the complexion of the match when we could have been going in at 1-1 at the break.

“I come back this week and trained as hard as possible to try put in a good performance against Newcastle.

“It’s just gutting not to come away with a clean sheet or at least a point.

“I was disappointed with the game against West Ham because it changed the complexion of the match when we could have been going in at 1-1 at the break.

“I come back this week and trained as hard as possible to try put in a good performance against Newcastle.

“It’s just gutting not to come away with a clean sheet or at least a point.”

Saturday’s defeat means Saints have now lost four of their last five Premier League matches, winning just once.

Luckily for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, the teams around them in the table also failed to pick up points at the weekend.

Saints will now travel to rock-bottom Norwich before going three weeks without a match.

Asked if an element of worry was creeping into the dressing room, McCarthy responded: “I wouldn’t say there is any concern at all – everyone’s positive.

“At the end of the day, we were down to ten men for the majority of the game.

“There a lot of positives to take from that game and we just need to get a positive result next weekend which I’m sure we will.”

McCarthy has also guaranteed that their trip to Carrow Road on Saturday will see them return with three points in the bag.

He added: “With the three-week break afterwards, we want to be going into that with three points on the board.

“We’ll get a result next week and then we can work in that three-week period.”