EPL: Leicester 0-0 Southampton

One Southampton fan doesn't want to watch the game against Leicester

Southampton halted their losing run but a goalless draw at Leicester does little for their survival hopes.

The hosts arguably had the game's best chance, as Alex McCarthy produced a fine save to deny a trademark effort from Jamie Vardy with 20 minutes remaining.

It was a rare moment of quality during a cagey affair, with Southampton's best chance to break the deadlock falling to Shane Long in the second half, but Ben Hamer was out quick to smother his shot.

The point means the Saints are still four points adrift of safety, with 17th-placed Swansea to play their game in hand away to Manchester City this weekend.

Mark Hughes, who fielded an unchanged side despite Southampton's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Sunday, may see this as a missed opportunity to close the gap further on their relegation rivals given Leicester's subdued display.

Claude Puel will have relished the chance to do a domestic double over his former club, but after seeing his team now go three games without a victory, the Frenchman will be keen for the season not to peter out in the remaining four games.

His side made the brighter start on Thursday night, and the energetic Kelechi Iheanacho came close to breaking the deadlock after 17 minutes as the Nigeria international reacted fastest to his own blocked shot to regain possession and curl a shot just a yard wide of McCarthy's right-hand post.

But that was as good as it got for the Foxes in the opening 45 minutes, with Dusan Tadic and Cedric Soares spurning half-chances for the visitors without testing Hamer.

That would change 12 minutes into the second half as Tadic's deflected shot fell kindly for Long via Harry Maguire's outstretched leg, but the Republic of Ireland striker could only fire straight at Hamer.

Vardy had endured a frustrating evening having been ruled offside on several occasions, but he very nearly produced another moment of magic to give his side the lead from Marc Albrighton's inch-perfect pass.

The England striker managed to wriggle himself clear of the three-man Southampton defence to meet the makeshift right-back's ball over the top, but McCarthy was equal to his measured volley to ensure the Saints head back south with at least a point.