SAINTS led for nearly 60 minutes against Fulham before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat with the fatal blow struck in added time at St Mary's. 

Club captain Jack Stephens scored his first goal of the season with a smart run and header to give Saints the lead in the 14th minute of the match. 

There was further positivity from Ross Stewart, who started to complete 65 minutes of the match before he was withdrawn to a standing ovation.

However, former Arsenal product Emile Smith Rowe benefitted from a significant deflection to level proceedings with over 25 minutes to play. 

Ryan Sessegnon then became the second Fulham man to score when he broke Saints hearts in added time, leaving them on 11 points. 

The result means Saints remain level with Derby County's worst-ever record with just four games to play, including next weekend's trip to Leicester.

Saints have not won at home in the Premier League since they beat Everton 1-0 on November 2, but felt confident ahead of facing Fulham.

The Cottagers sat ninth in the league table but had dropped points against all three of the relegated sides, including a 0-0 draw with Saints in December. 

Interim boss Simon Rusk spoke of a small bit of pride being restored ahead of the match, following his side's 1-1 draw at West Ham last time out.

He kept his starting team as similar as possible, but Paul Onuachu missed out altogether with an ankle injury he has been nursing this season.

Injury-ridden Stewart started for the first time since October, when he lasted just 27 minutes on his full debut for the club at Arsenal. 

He lacked a little bit of pace but brought physicality to the party, as Saints produced a solid first-half performance to go into the break ahead.

Stephens ghosted to arrive behind Jan Bednarek and head in Ryan Manning's out-swinging free-kick after 14 minutes, recording his first goal of the season.

It was a special goal for the skipper, whose partner is expecting this week, and his celebration aimed towards his box appeared to be homage.

Saints might have had a chance to score a second but for the honesty of Kamaldeen Sulemama, who stayed on his feet after a clear barge in the box.

No penalty was awarded and the Ghanaian's subsequent shot was saved, before Saints survived a Ryan Sessegnon air shot in first-half added time.

Rusk's charges had started to retreat ever so slightly to defend their lead before the break, and Fulham remained the team on top after the restart.

Willian struck the post as Stephens battled on through what appeared to be some kind of groin injury, leaving the field of play briefly for treatment.

The excellent Kyle Walker-Peters forced Bernd Leno into a save and substitute Cameron Archer rattled the woodwork from the most acute of angles.

But Fulham were fortunate to equalise in the 73rd minute when Smith Rowe's shot deflected off Bednarek and dinked the helpless Aaron Ramsdale.

Ramsdale tipped a Smith Rowe shot past the post before Raul Jiminez headed into his hands as the visitors looked most likely to find a winner. 

However, he was unable to save Sessengon's stooping header inside the first of six minutes of added time as Fulham snatched all three points. 

Saints: Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes (Bree, 86); Kamaldeen (Dibling, 76), Stewart (Archer, 65).

Unused subs: McCarthy, Aribo, Smallbone, Wood, Welington, Robinson.

Booked: Kamaldeen.

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge (Lukic, h-t), Andreas (Adama, h-t), Willian (Smith Rowe, 65), Wilson (Cairney, 86), Iwobi (Vinicius, 86); Raul.

Unused subs: Benda, Reed, Cuenca, Castagne.

Booked: Raul.

Referee: Tony Harrington.

VAR: Paul Howard.