SAINTS took an early lead and then scored late to land a third win in four games with a 2-1 victory at Hull City.

Russell Martin's side are unbeaten in that time, while Will Smallbone added his second of the season and Ryan Fraser landed his first at MKM Stadium.

Here is how we rated the lads in an important Championship win... 

Gavin Bazunu - 7.

Save against Delap early after a Harwood-Bellis slip and another from long range in the same half. Quick off his line to dispossess Delap as he looked to score a second.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 7.

Few early issues with Philogene. Excellent assist for Smallbone’s goal, beating his man and laying off with composure. Goal-saving defending off the line after the restart.

Jan Bednarek - 6.

Solid for most of the game as Saints suffered early pressure. Let off as he missed a tackle on Tufan to allow a to versus one in on goal. Overall, solid once again. 

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7

Slipped on the wet surface for the first chance but made a really good tackle in the box to stop Philogene later in the half. Followed up on Walker-Peters preventing a certain goal on the restart with the rebound. Solid throughout.

Ryan Manning - 5.

Goal came from his side, after a scramble in the area. No idea what he was doing in possession when he forced himself to take a yellow card after getting in a twist in his own third. Did play a smart one-two with Edozie to create a shooting chance as Saints grew into the game.

Flynn Downes - 8.

Another typical Downes performance. A magnet to the ball as Southampton looked to build out from the back. A brilliant overlapping run in the 95th minute to set up Ryan Fraser's winner. 

Will Smallbone - 7.

Had a deflected effort just about tipped over with Southampton’s first shot. Opened the scoring with a good first-time effort. Denied a second by a good save from Allsop.

Stuart Armstrong - 6. 

Unable to set himself up for a volleyed shot after receiving a cross from A Armstrong in a dangerous position. Not as impactful as recent performances. 

Adam Armstrong - 6. 

Great cross for S Armstrong late in an otherwise quiet half for the winger, and could have had an assist. A similar situation later as he provided for Alcaraz.

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 7. 

Showed his pace in opportunities to open up and made a disciplined defensive slide after tracking to halt a dangerous attack. Created a good chance on the brink of half-time.

Charly Alcaraz - 6. 

Great aggression and determined pressing, eliciting chants of his name for one extended period. Denied by a top Allsop stop and it agonisingly rolled past the post. Frustrated as he came off. 

Substitutes

Sam Edozie - 6. 

Played more than 20 minutes but did not have too much impact. Was safe in possession, completing 92 per cent of his passes. 

Che Adams - 6. 

Also played 21 minutes. Tough to come on but not massively impressive and will struggle to reclaim the starting position. 

Ryan Fraser - 8. 

Great finish for the winning goal in the final seconds. Took a clever booking to stop a counter, playing in the eight position. Doesn't matter what else you do. Big impact. 

Sekou Mara - N/A.

His quick thinking to rush across for the winning throw-in. Not much else to do. 

Shea Charles - N/A. 

Won a free-kick during injury time bursting forward but only played seven minutes including added time.