Southampton and Charlton shared the points in a scrappy contest at St Mary's that ended goalless.

Neither side looked like breaking the deadlock as defences dominated in this clash at the foot of the Premiership table.

Charlton midfielder Claus Jensen came closest to scoring just before half-time with a free-kick that Antti Niemi saved superbly on his Southampton debut.

Saints striker Marian Pahars had the first clear-cut chance of the contest after six minutes but the Latvian fired wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Saints defender Claus Lundekvam nearly grabbed his first goal for Southampton but he shot wide from close range following a good cross from Fabrice Fernandes.

Charlton enjoyed the better of the possession as the first half unfolded, but struggled to break down the Southampton defence.

Jensen saw the Addicks' first effort of the half bravely blocked by Paul Telfer 15 yards out.

Telfer then almost gave the home side the lead as Southampton upped the tempo with the interval approaching.

The former Coventry man saw a close-range header brilliantly saved by Dean Kiely after another Fernandes centre.

Jensen was in the thick of the action for the visitors and the Dane nearly opened the scoring, his 30-yard free-kick wonderfully clawed away by Niemi.

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley brought on Shaun Bartlett for Jonatan Johansson in the second period but it was the home side who started better, and Pahars fired over soon after the re-start.

Marsden then came close to fashioning an opening for Tessem but his inviting centre just evaded the on-rushing Norwegian.

Strachan introduced James Beattie after 75 minutes and the powerful forward immediately posed the Charlton defence problems, his left-wing cross brilliantly cleared from danger by Chris Powell.

Chris Bart-Williams tried to surprise Niemi with a crisp 25-yard shot with 10 minutes to go but the ex-Hearts stopper was equal to the challenge.

Charlton nearly snatched all three points when substitute Kevin Lisbie headed a Jensen free-kick goalwards but Niemi was again well-placed to save.

Booked: Delap, Bridge.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Rufus, Fortune, Powell, Robinson (Lisbie 85), Jensen, Bart-Williams, Konchesky, Johansson (Bartlett 45), Euell.
Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Fish, Kishishev.

Booked: Euell.

Attendance: 25,714.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).