Cameron Archer's controversial equaliser earned Southampton a point at Birmingham City.

The sub did well to flick the ball in at the near post via a deflection but home players, coaches and fans were outraged that referee Matt Donohue had not stopped the play after he had inadvertently got in the way of Blues skipper Tomoki Iwata moments earlier.

Home boss Chris Davies was booked for his protestations and then sent off shortly afterwards for delaying the restart when the away side were awarded a free-kick.

Phil Neumann had headed the hosts into a deserved lead after the break and Gavin Bazunu did very well to turn Jay Stansfield's 20-yarder on to the post before the late drama.

A sixth successive game without victory leaves Birmingham in 15th, seven points outside the top six.

Southampton are now winless in four themselves and are one point and two places better off than Blues.

Birmingham will feel they did more than enough to win the match but could have come away with nothing with the away side much the better following their equaliser.

Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi was given a first start since September and missed a fine chance to put Blues in front when he lifted over after being played in on goal.

Paik Seung-ho also hit the top of the crossbar from a wide free-kick as the home side did much of the running in a keenly fought first 45 minutes.

The hosts had their goal within three minutes of the restart when Neumann's looping header beat Bazunu moments after the same player had seen a goalbound effort well-blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis as the visitors struggled to deal with a deep free-kick.

Thereafter it looked likely Birmingham would add to their goal before the game's key incident changed things completely.

A ball was played up to the Saints forwards and Alfons Sampsted looked to head it down for Iwata, only for the midfielder to be accidentally blocked from getting to it by Donohue.

Willum Willumsson then failed to control the ball and Southampton moved it in behind the inside left channel for Elias Jelert to cross in for fellow sub Archer to score.

Iwata and Davies were booked for their subsequent protests and Davies was then sent off for throwing the ball away.

Saints pushed on in search of a winner but could not fashion a clear-cut opening despite enjoying the lion's share of the closing stages.

Birmingham will look to claim a first win since beating Watford on 1 December when they visit the Hornets on New Year's Day, while Southampton host another of the play-off chasing pack, Millwall, on the same afternoon.

Birmingham City assistant manager Ben Petty told BBC Radio WM:

"I thought the team were outstanding tonight. We had make a few changes because of suspensions and injury, I thought the players that came in gave everything.

"We've been good with our set plays and I think we deserved the goal and could have had a couple more before that went in.

"I think tonight you saw the best of Jay Stansfield, pressing superbly well from the front and coming in from the left. He had the bit between his teeth and was very unlucky not to score.

(On Southampton goal) "We're all very, very upset by it, it's a very contentious issue. I'm not quite sure why the referee didn't stop the game. He's human and everyone makes mistakes. Ultimately it has cost us two points."

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"I keep repeating, we play every game for three points but at the same time we know it is a tough place to come and not an easy place to play.

"You know if you come here they have high energy, especially at the start, and you might need to go a little bit longer.

"We've been talking about for weeks that we need impact from the bench and we had that today. I'm very happy with the players who came on.

"I think it's a good point if we get three against Millwall."