Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc boosted his side’s bid for Premier League survival with a dramatic late penalty save in a 0-0 draw at Norwich on Saturday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team looked set for a damaging defeat when Norwich captain Grant Holt stepped up to take the spot-kick in stoppage-time at Carrow Road.
But former Celtic star Boruc made a superb stop to deny Holt and lift Southampton, in 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
A fixture played in driving rain and sleet made for testing conditions and both teams struggled to find any momentum for long periods.
Southampton created the first opening when Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn tipped over Adam Lallana’s rising 20-yard drive.
The visitors threatened again when Rickie Lambert’s pass found Gaston Ramirez in space on the edge of the Norwich penalty area, but his attempted chip was palmed out by Bunn as Javier Garrido mopped up the loose ball.
At the other end, Robert Snodgrass whipped in a 25-yard free-kick that Boruc punched away.
Pochettino’s men had a glorious opportunity to take the lead at the start of the second half.
Having burst down the left and cut into the penalty area, Jay Rodriguez’s cross was cleared by Sebastien Bassong but the ball fell to Lallana some 12 yards out and he could only blaze high over the bar.
Rodriguez’s snapshot was then beaten away by Bunn and Lambert fired the rebound over.
At the other end, Snodgrass was played in by Wes Hoolahan but the ball ran away from the Scotland international as he went around the goalkeeper, which allowed Maya Yoshida to clear.
There was late drama, though, as Luke Shaw pushed over Holt just inside the penalty area and referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot after consulting with his assistant.
Holt scored an injury-time winner against Everton recently but there was to be no repeat as Boruc guessed right to make the save.
Boruc's penalty save rescues Saints
