IT is 14 years since one of the most remarkable weeks in Saints' history ended with Harry Redknapp's first game in charge.

Having replaced Steve Wigley as the club's manager, a month after ending his first spell as Pompey boss, Redknapp saw Saints throw away a 2-0 lead.

Middlesbrough scored twice in the last two minutes to deny Saints a much-needed victory at St Mary's.

That has been a familiar tale this season and no-one needs reminding what happened to Redknapp's Saints at the end of 2004/05. 

It is hoped Ralph Hasenhuttl's appointment proves to be more successful...

This is how the Sports Pink reported Redknapp's first game in charge on December 11, 2004.

HARRY REDKNAPP’S reign as Saints boss started with an agonising 2-2 St Mary's draw with high-flying Boro, who scored twice in closing minutes of the match.

Redknapp’s arrival seemed to instil a new belief and some previously lacking confidence into the team.

They looked full value for what seemed like it would be only their third win of the season and, in particular, the new-look strike pairing of Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch looked impressive.

Saints took the lead at the best possible time – just seconds before the interval, when Phillips headed home a beautifully flighted Graeme Le Saux cross.

Crouch got the second on 64 minutes, heading home a Le Saux corner.

Although Boro pushed to get back into the game a combination of some good defending, a great save from Antti Niemi and the post kept Saints safe until seconds before full-time, when Danny Higginbotham inadvertantly headed into his own net from Stewart Downing’s corner.

And then Downing broke Saints hearts with a 25-yard blockbuster that meant the game ended in a draw rather than what seemed set to be a glorious beginning to the Redknapp era.