By John May BBC Sport Online

Southampton striker James Beattie has told BBC Sport Online that Arsenal defender Sol Campbell deserved to be sent off in the 3-2 defeat at St Mary's Stadium.

Referee Paul Durkin has confirmed he was satisfied with his decision and will not review the red card shown to England defender Campbell after his tangle with Saints striker Agustin Delgado.

Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger was left fuming by Durkin's decision to red card Campell, but Beattie remained adamant.

"The decision that he made was that it was a foul and it follows from there that Sol had to go. The referee has got no leeway," said the Saints striker and BBC Sport Online columnist.

Durkin dismissed Campbell after awarding the penalty which Beattie drove home for his second goal of the game in Saints' 3-2 win over the Double winners.

But Beattie dismissed suggestions that the England defender was hard done by.

"Even after looking at the replays, I don't think anyone can say it wasn't a foul.

"If it's a foul and he is the last defender, then he has to go off. The referee has no choice.

"In the heat of the moment the referee has to make a decision."

Wenger was convinced that Campell's dismissal was the turning point in a defeat which enabled Arsenal's title rivals to make up vital ground.

But Beattie said: "I don't think it made a lot of difference. I'm sure we would have beaten them anyway."