RALPH Hasenhuttl labelled the Saints supporters as “exceptional” after they stayed to clap the players off following the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City.

The travelling fans have only seen three wins on the road all season, and Saints have picked up just five points from their last 12 Premier League matches.

But after being heard throughout, and despite conceding just minutes earlier to Ayoze Perez’s second, they emphatically showed their appreciation for the players after Jon Moss brought the contest to a close.

“Exceptional. Outstanding. Fantastic,” Hasenhuttl said, asked about their efforts after the match. “I must say, it shows how committed we are.

“They have a very good feeling for what happens in the club, how much effort the guys put in,” he added.

“We had fantastic moments this season and also moments where it is not easy to be a Saints fan, they do a fantastic job.”

The Foxes took the lead in controversial fashion through James Maddison’s rebound, and Jamie Vardy struck to double the advantage.

James Ward-Prowse netted from the spot to give Saints a chance going into the final 10 minutes, but substitute Perez put distance between the two sides.

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