Substitute Jo Tessem struck four minutes into injury time to snatch a late winner for Southampton and keep Sunderland in the Premiership relegation places.

Tessem cruelly dashed fellow Norwegian Tore Andre Flo's hopes of prising a point for Sunderland after he had equalised James Beattie's opener for Southampton.

I was surprised four minutes were added on, but he called it and you have to accept it Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson

Southampton made most of the running and appeared to be heading for their fourth successive Premiership draw after Sunderland keeper Jurgen Macho kept them at bay.

Beattie had the ball in the net on eight minutes, but the effort was wiped out for a foul on Macho.

Sunderland's Paul Thirlwell and Saints' Chris Marsden contest possession

Kevin Phillips should have put his side ahead on 18 minutes when he ghosted on to a deep cross, only to plant a free header woefully wide.

Fabrice Fernandes almost made him pay, his thumping volley saved by Macho's boot.

And Sunderland's Austrian keeper could only watch as James Beattie's 35-yard free-kick deflected off the defensive wall just wide of the target.

Saints late show

73mins: Beattie fires Saints ahead. 76mins: Flo levels for Sunderland. 94mins: Tessem scores a late winner.

Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson replaced Phillips with Michael Proctor at half-time and almost got an instant dividend.

Within 20 seconds of the restart Proctor struck the post with a curling shot.

Sunderland's positive start to the second half then saw McCartney stretch Antti Niemi in the Southampton goal.

But Southampton began to re-impose their authority and Macho again proved the barrier with a fine save from Marsden.

Eyes on the ball from Michael Svensson and Gavin McCann

Southampton took a deserved lead on 73 minutes with Beattie's powerful downward header from Marsden's cross.

Macho again got his hand to the ball but was unable to keep out Beattie's 12th goal of the season.

But Southampton's lead lasted just three minutes, thanks to substitute Flo.

We had three injury time goals against us earlier in the season, now it's evened out. Saints boss Gordon Strachan

The Norwegian met Kilbane's corner with a powerful header which gave Niemi no chance.

But four minutes into added time, Sunderland's hopes of a precious point were dashed.

Rory Delap's long throw caused panic in the Sunderland defence and the ball finished in the net with Tessem credited with the final touch.

Southampton: Niemi, Telfer, Michael Svensson, Lundekvam, Bridge, Fernandes, Delap, Anders Svensson (Oakley 72), Marsden, Beattie, Ormerod (Tessem 72).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Davies, Williams.

Booked: Telfer.

Sunderland: Macho, Wright, Babb, Craddock, Gray (Flo 59), McCartney, Kilbane, Thirlwell, McCann, Phillips (Proctor 45), Kyle (Bjorklund 90).
Subs Not Used: Ingham, Stewart.

Booked: Phillips, McCartney.

Attendance: 31,423

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).