Southampton saw their automatic promotion dreams dashed as a 97th-minute Ipswich Town goal condemned the south coast club to a 3-2 defeat.
Russell Martin could only watch on as his side threw away a 2-1 lead despite being the far superior side for the majority of the clash at Portman Road.
The league-leaders went ahead through a thunderous Leif Davis strike in the 13th minute, but equalised just a minute later through Che Adams. The Saints then made their early dominance count as Adam Armstrong slotted home a Stuart Armstrong through ball on 23 minutes.
As the game went on and Southampton failed to extend their lead, their fans undoubtedly experienced a feeling of deja vu having seen their side all too often be punished for not making the most of their superiority this campaign.
Their fears were justified as Nathan Broadhead struck in the 68th minute to equalise before a James Bree red card for bringing down Davis who was adjudged to be through on goal meant Southampton’s hopes of nicking a winner were reduced significantly.
Then, with just seconds on the clock, Ipswich substitute Jeremy Sarmiento stabbed a strike into the far corner to inflict a sickening defeat on fourth placed Southampton.
Southampton player ratings against Ipswich
Gavin Bazunu – 6
The young goalkeeper should have done better with the first Ipswich goal as he was beaten at his near post, couldn’t do much about the second or third due to how quickly the strikes were taken. In possession took so much responsibility on the ball. Started the move for Southampton’s second goal and baited the Ipswich press expertly before playing through them.
James Bree – 4.5
A little slow to get out to Davis for the Ipswich goal and caught ball watching as he brought down the same player for a red card late in the game. Until that point had been generally good defensively but his mistakes were punished and perhaps cost Southampton the game.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 6
Good on the ball as Southampton fans have become accustomed to and made some vital interventions but Southampton defenders didn’t cover themselves in glory for any of Ipswich’s three goals; the goalscorer finding it too easy to get a strike on goal on each occasion.
Jan Bednarek – 7
Was very composed on the ball for the majority of the game despite the Ipswich press and had the better of Kieffer Moore before the Welsh striker went off injured. Ali Al Hamadi provided a different threat with running in behind but the Poland international handled him well.
Dug deep to carry on after taking a heavy knock to his back in the second period and also took a yellow card to stop Ipswich racing through on goal in second-half stoppage time when it was still 2-2.
Jack Stephens – 8
Started from a left-back role but clear instruction from Martin to step into central midfield when Southampton in possession. Constantly found space and received the ball all over the pitch, even popping up in the Ipswich box on a couple of occasions.
Up until the red card, this performance showed why Martin has been so keen to see his captain perform this hybrid full-back role.
Flynn Downes – 8.5
The ex-Ipswich midfielder was imperious at times in the centre of the Southampton midfield, constantly winning challenges and second balls. Set the tempo with his passing and was composure personified in the first-half in particular.
Always positive in possession and drove with the ball to break the lines at times too. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Joe Aribo – 7.5
Excellent in the first-half but his influence wained in the second. Two crucial passes in the build up to Southampton’s first, including the assist to Adams. Used his physicality well to impose himself on the game and showed neat footwork on a number of occasions.
The Nigerian did his defensive work too and looked to help Bree on the right throughout the game. One of Aribo’s better performances this season.
Stuart Armstrong – 7.5
With Stephens moving centrally from left-back, Armstrong frequently dropped into the gap he left to pick up the ball on the left. It was from this position that the 32-year-old drove from his own half before playing a perfectly weighted pass to his namesake, Adam Armstrong, to put Southampton 2-1 up in the first-half. Looked exhausted before coming off, with two games in four days perhaps taking its toll.
Adam Armstrong – 7
Brilliant run and finish for his 20th goal of the season. Couple more half chances but nothing clear-cut. Played all three positions across the front line but always looks more threatening from wide positions rather than through the middle.
Che Adams – 7.5
Showed the striker’s instinct that was missing in the draw against Middlesbrough with a poachers finish to get Southampton back on level terms a minute after conceding. Held the ball up well and embraced the battle with the Ipswich centre-halves. Perhaps a little unlucky to be substituted.
Ryan Fraser – 8
A constant thorn in the side of Axel Tuanzebe with the 30-year-old winger using every bit of his experience to mix up his game and keep his opposing full-back guessing. Got a number of decent crosses into the box and had a couple of half-chances. Unsurprisingly started to tire in his first start in over a month due to injury but justified his inclusion in the starting line-up.
Substitutes:
David Brooks – 6.5
Samuel Edozie – 6.5
Will Smallbone – 6
Joe Rothwell – 6