JAMES Ward-Prowse described as "strange" Jonathan Moss's decision to overturn the awarding of a penalty to Saints at Etihad Stadium, but added: "We kept our heads."

With the game locked at 0-0, Saints looked like earning a golden opportunity to take a big step towards a first win away at Manchester City since 2004.

Just past the hour mark, Adam Armstrong went down under the challenge of Kyle Walker in the penalty area.

The England full-back was also shown a red card by referee Moss.

However, after recommendation from VAR Martin Atkinson, Moss reviewed the footage on the pitchside monitor and overturned both calls, with no penalty awarded and the red card rescinded.

City looked buoyed as they chased victory, throwing on Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden from the bench.

Saints appeared set for heartbreak right at the death when Foden's header was brilliantly saved by Alex McCarthy, only for Raheem Sterling to turn in on the rebound.

However, the flag was raised for offside and the game ended goalless.

Ward-Prowse had the ball in his hand ready to take the spot-kick when the decision was overturned to award a penalty.

Asked for his take on a dramatic couple of minutes, the Saints skipper told the Daily Echo: "It was strange. To go from a red card and a penalty to absolutely nothing didn’t quite add up for me.

"It could have been a turning point in the game. They were lifted from that moment.

"They brought De Bruyne on and you could feel the energy pick up in the place.

"But I think we dealt with it very well, we kept our heads, kept our cool and we came away with a deserved point and on another day maybe it could’ve been more if we were more clinical going forward.

"It was strange for me as it didn’t add up. But they’ve got all the technology in order to make these decisions and the main thing was that we had to react and show a bit of maturity in dealing with that situation moving forward."

Saints head to Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup tomorrow (7.45pm).