RUSSELL Martin wasn't surprised that Saints were able to snatch a late win 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Che Adams tapped in from close range to grab his third goal of the season and secure a dramatic late win for Southampton in Devon.

It's the second time the Scottish international has scored a late winner, having done so on the opening day of the season against Sheffield Wednesday. 

Speaking after the game at Home Park, Martin was unsurprised by the late goal due to the tireless preparation his staff do ahead of games.

"I think the late goals are no coincidence with the amount of work we put into them. The last half-an-hour was really dominant but I wasn’t happy with the first half.

"I told the players that at half-time and I think they will feel the same way. We are going to have a lot of fun but there will be some tough moments and we had plenty.

"They were our own doing and I was frustrated by that. However, the way they responded I was really pleased by. They were brilliant.

"The only downside is the disappointment of conceding a goal so soon after scoring. Especially after last season, the disappointment they had.

"We will learn from it, we have won while we are building with a depleted squad from having a million players to not many. We had young lads on the bench today.

"We will be stronger in a weeks’ time but I’m really proud of the mentality of the players and the togetherness, belief and connection with each other and the supporters."

Southampton's winner in the fourth of nine minutes of injury time, came after Stuart Armstrong has struck the crossbar and Conor Hazard pulled off a fantastic save to deny Adam Armstrong a free kick.

Despite the dramatic climax to the lunchtime kick-off, Martin would have preferred to have the game wrapped up much earlier.  

"(It was) a beautiful moment," he continued. "I’m really pleased for the players and for Andreas (Georgson, set-piece coach) who has just come in.

"To win late is always great but I’d rather we didn’t concede and could see the game out like we did at Sheffield Wednesday, but the Championship is tough and relentless.

"I’ve got a huge amount of praise for and pride in the players, they are a brilliant group to work with and I hope we can keep as many of them as possible. We’re building a plane in flight really."