DAVE Horseman insists Saints B have deserved more from their early Premier League 2 fixtures, after they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Saints currently sit ninth in the 13-team table, without a win in four since the opening day of the campaign.

Connor McBride's early strike proved to be enough for the visitors at Snows Stadium, with Saints ending the game with 10 men after Michael Obafemi was shown a straight red card in front of the watching first-team boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Horseman told the Saints website: “We went in at half-time, we tweaked a couple of bits. Then we spent 45 minutes where we absolutely battered them, from start to finish.

“We’ve had one-vs-ones and hit the post, we’ve had tap-ins in the six-yard-box, we’ve had a perfectly good goal we’ve just watched on the video there ruled out. Which is incredible.

“I’m really proud of them second half, really proud. I think at the moment they are not getting, in terms of the results, what they deserve.

“But if they keep playing the way they’re playing, they’ll have good careers. Any manager wants someone who can press, run, chase, tackle and play. Plus we will get the results.

“We totally controlled possession, territory and created chances. But if we want to be a good team we have to put teams away now. This isn’t the first time this has happened."

Horseman added: “It’s amazing that the manager (Ralph Hasenhuttl) and all of his staff were here watching. I think that’s amazing for the boys, where do you get that opportunity where everybody turns up on a Sunday? 

“The B team concept is one that has been really useful for the boys. They see it as an opportunity where you don’t necessarily have to go out on loan to get the things we’re looking for within the club.”