EVERYONE wants to win a game of football comfortably but nothing quite matches the feeling after a late winner.

That is an ecstasy Southampton supporters have experienced multiple times this season.

First it was a late Che Adams winner on the opening day at Sheffield Wednesday, then it was the Scot's winner at Plymouth.

Add Adam Armstrong’s 97th-minute penalty to secure a 4-4 draw against Norwich, and Saints have clearly demonstrated their knack for late goals.

The latest last-gasp winner, which came courtesy of loanee Ryan Fraser in the 95th minute against Hull City, was perhaps the best one yet.

Not only was it Fraser's first Southampton goal since arriving on loan from Newcastle United, but it also inflicted Hull's first home defeat this season.

The Tigers have started the Championship season brightly under Liam Rosenior and were above their opponents on goal difference heading into Saturday's game.

Southampton aren't alone in scoring late goals - clubs such as Birmingham, Cardiff and Leicester City have matched their tally of four goals past the 85th minute. 

As much as they would prefer to win games comfortably, that can't always be the case in the Championship. And ultimately, it doesn't matter how you earn three points.

When speaking to the Daily Echo after his goal helped the St Mary's side to a 2-1 victory in East Yorkshire, Fraser noted that late winners are a sign of the fight in the squad.

His manager, Russell Martin, echoed a similar sentiment: "The boys got the ball back on the pitch relentlessly in the second half. The multi-ball rule helps us with that of course.

"In the last few years teams would kick the ball into Row Z and it would take about 30 seconds for it to come back in.

"We didn't get the added on time as we have done this year either, which seems to have disappeared a little bit.

"The guys were relentless. They showed relentless energy and courage with the ball and thankfully we got the win.

"I thought we were outstanding in the second half – one of the best performances we have had I think, in the last 30 minutes.

“Hull got tired because of how dominant we were but they still had a threat on the counterattack so we had to nullify that, and there were moments where Gavin (Bazunu) was called upon."

Fraser was deployed in a new position when introduced on 84 minutes to replace Stuart Armstrong.

Rather than playing in the wide areas as we have come to expect, the 29 year old dropped into the number eight role.

He trained in that role during the international break, scoring multiple times in those sessions, leading Martin to trust him when it counted.

Daily Echo: Fraser combined with fellow substitutes Sam Edozie and Che Adams as Martin opted to overload the left-hand side.

His instinct as a forward also helped him get into the right position to fire in a superb goal after Flynn Downes' cutback.

Speaking to Southampton's club media Martin added: "Everyone gave everything that they had. The subs came on and helped us because we needed some energy at that point.

"I'm delighted with the aggression shown with and without the ball in the second half for sure. Our second was a brilliant team goal.

"It was an amazing finish from Ryan. He's one of several players who are growing all the time for us and working out what is required for us.

"He came on in a different position today because I think he is flexible. He's a good footballer with a great mentality.

"He made a really important foul for us at the end and took a booking for us as well. The finish is top."

Even though Will Smallbone had opened the scoring to give Saints the lead, there was a point when it seemed as though they wouldn't be heading back to the south coast with three points.

Daily Echo: Saints won 2-1 at Hull City's MKM Stadium thanks to a late winner by Ryan Fraser

Hull bossed large parts of the first half, beating Saints at their own game - ball domination. At one stage the hosts had 61 per cent of possession.

By half time, that figure had dropped to 54 per cent as Martin's side got a taste of what it's like to live in the Championship without the ball.

Saints had also only managed four shots on goal as they struggled to break down Rosenior's side when they did win back possession.

While the second half was much improved, they were lucky to escape the opening 10 minutes without conceding a second goal.

Kyle Walker-Peters and Taylor Harwood-Bellis combined to deny the Tigers a certain goal, which proved to be the turning point in the game.

Martin's side don't have long until they are back on the road to face Preston North End on Wednesday evening.

That game will be another reminder of how tough the Championship schedule can be. It could also portray how quickly a team's fortunes can turn around.

Preston looked unstoppable early this season, but are now without a win in five. Their brief decline arrived as Saints turned their form around following four straight defeats.

Another three points will add to the positive feeling around the club's on-field successes. They'll likely have to continue their momentum with some changes to the side. 

Ryan Manning is suspended after earning five yellows and the quick turnaround of games may encourage some rotation.

But the inspired changes at Hull are an indication that Saints won't suffer for making changes in the same way they did earlier in the season.