Southampton held by Huddersfield at St Mary’s

Laurent Depoitre cancelled out Charlie Austin’s opening goal as Southampton was held 1-1 by Huddersfield at St Mary’s.

Austin had a tumultuous first half, giving Southampton an undeserved lead before avoiding being sent off for a careless challenge on Jonas Lossl.

Huddersfield pegged back the goal deficit through Depoitre shortly after the hour mark after failing to score from six first-half chances.

Southampton was thrice thwarted from regaining their lead, including Maya Yoshida who struck the post with his header deeper in stoppage time.

The visitors made a bright start over the opening 20 minutes with Fraser Forster denying Christopher Schindler with the forward’s header marked for the top corner.

But Southampton took advantage of a defensive error with Austin turning in Wesley Hoedt’s knock down after the forward was left free at the back post on 24 minutes.

Schindler, who was a nightmare all game, nearly brought Huddersfield level five minutes later after being left unmarked in the box, but he could only head wide of the post.

Dusan Tadic almost made it 2-0 after latching onto Nathan Remond’s cross, but Lossl stood tall in goal, before Steven Davis saw the follow-up blocked behind.

Southampton missed out on doubling their advantage for a second time when Redmond teed up Austin, but the goalscorer rolled his attempt agonisingly wide.

Four minutes later, however, Huddersfield found the equaliser through Depoitre as he linked up with substitute Tommy Smith.

Smith crossed from the left and Depoitre -- unmarked in the box -- easily headed past Forster.

Southampton came closest to stealing all three points with James Ward-Prowse drawing a save from distance and Yoshida striking the post with the rebound cannoning off Lossl’s face and away from goal.

Southampton: Forster, Targett, Hoedt, Yoshida, Stephens, Davis (Hojbjerg 72), Lemina, Redmond, Tadic (Boufal 72), Ward-Prowse, Austin (Gabbiadini 78).

Unused subs: McCarthy (GK), McQueen, Romeu, Long.

Goals: Austin (24).

Bookings: Hoedt (54), Redmond (97).

Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Malone, Mooy, van la Parra (Lolley 61), Williams, Depoitre (Mounie 81), Ince, Quaner, Zanka, Schindler, Hadergjonaj (Smith 61).

Unused subs: Coleman (GK), Whitehead, Cranie, Lowe.

Goals: Depoitre (64).

Bookings: Quaner (97).