SAINTS forward Adam Armstrong said "the lads know what we did wrong" in their 1-1 draw to Middlesbrough, but insisted it was not a missed opportunity. 

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored a last-minute header to deliver a blow to Southampton's automatic promotion aspirations after Armstrong put them ahead on 12 minutes.

His equaliser came after Saints squandered several chances to double their lead - Che Adams twice missing from close range before Armstrong was denied from five yards out.

The draw meant Russell Martin's side failed to fully capitalise on Leicester City and Leeds United dropping points earlier in the day.

Saints are now 10 points off league leaders Ipswich Town and remain nine points a drift of Leeds, who sit in the precious second place.

Asked if Friday's draw was a missed opportunity, Armstrong said: "No, I don't think so. It's one of those games.

"We had enough opportunities to win the game. We conceded a sloppy goal at the end. We have to take the point and move on to Monday.

"If you don't score you don't win. It's as simple as that. The lads know what we did wrong and what we could have done better. We have got to go again on Monday.

Daily Echo: Adam Armstrong's opener was not enough to see Saints claim all three pointsAdam Armstrong's opener was not enough to see Saints claim all three points (Image: PA)

"Leicester dropping points wasn't spoken about too much. We knew we had to focus on ourselves."

He continued: "That is what we have been doing all season. When we dropped points at the start of the campaign we always focused on ourselves.

"We don't care where we are in the league. All that matters is where we are in the table come May 5th.

"We need to keep positive. We didn't lose, it would have been a lot worse if we did. We have to take the positives out of it."

Michael Carrick's Boro have claimed four points against Southampton this season, having also completed the double over Leicester.

Armstrong opened the scoring at St Mary's when he pounced on Jonny Howson's wayward clearance and drilled low past Seny Dieng.

"I saw it come over, I took a nice touch and put it away nicely," Armstrong explained, reflecting on his 19th goal of the season.

"We started off well and looked bright but we couldn't go on from there. We needed to punish them more. 

"As long as my goals keep helping that is a bonus. At the end of the day, it's the three points that we needed.

"We are not stupid, we have nine massive games to come now. There will be changes in the league. It's going to be interesting."

Southampton are next in action on Easter Monday at Portman Road against an Ipswich side who have lost only one of their last 10 games.