RALPH Hasenhuttl paid tribute to his defensive department after they kept a clean sheet in the win against Bournemouth.

Goals from Danny Ings and Che Adams left the hosts in the relegation zone, but Alex McCarthy had to pull off a string of saves to ensure Saints left with three points.

Hasenhuttl said: “The clean sheet was very tough work and hard work for my defenders and the whole team.

“We knew we had to expect intensity and we prepared for that.

“The way we found the game after 20 minutes was a good one. We had problems in the beginning and it was a bit like ping pong.

“But we handled this very well and the more we played football, the better we have been and the more chances we created.

“The only thing that was disappointing that it took so long to finalise the game.”

Hasenhuttl also revealed his delight for Adams after his late finish took his tally to two for the season, having failed to score until earlier this month.

He added: “It means a lot to him and it was an important goal for us to win the game.

“It’s also important for him to get some self-confidence for next season and I’m sure he’ll make more goals.”