Gabbiadini secures vital point for Southampton at Burnley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Southampton's Manolo Gabbiadini scores their first goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates

BURNLEY 1 SOUTHAMPTON 1

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Southampton moved their heads just above the Premier League's bottom three after Manolo Gabbiadini grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Burnley on Saturday.

Burnley looked set to end a 10-match winless run in the league after Ashley Barnes headed them into the lead in the second half but Southampton dug out a crucial point.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Southampton's Manolo Gabbiadini celebrates scoring their first goal with Sofiane Boufal REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Time was almost up at Turf Moor when Gabbiadini popped up in the area to turn home Guido Carrillo's header back across goal, although Burnley were furious after referee Bobby Madley inadvertently impeded Burnley's Ashley Westwood in the build-up.

Southampton have managed one win in their last 15 league games but conversely have lost only one of the last six as manager Mauricio Pellegrino battles on.

"It's one point, obviously we play another important game next, but the draw is almost the same as a win today," he said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Southampton's Manolo Gabbiadini celebrates scoring their first goal with Josh Sims REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Until Gabbiadini's 90th-minute effort, Southampton were still in the bottom three but they are now above Crystal Palace and Swansea City on goal difference.

Burnley remain in seventh spot with 37 points -- three short of their Premier League record haul -- and are almost certainly safe but the result was frustrating for manager Sean Dyche.

"The performance was good, certainly enough to win three points. It is another point on the table," he said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Burnley's Stephen Ward appeals to referee Robert Madley REUTERS/Andrew Yates

"The game was petering out to nothing. They huffed and puffed, but didn't create too much."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis and Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Burnley's Ashley Barnes scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Southampton's Guido Carrillo in action with Burnley's Matthew Lowton REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Burnley's Jeff Hendrick in action with Southampton's Ryan Bertrand and Alex McCarthy REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley vs Southampton - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 24, 2018 Burnley's Ashley Barnes in action with Southampton's Guido Carrillo and Wesley Hoedt REUTERS/Andrew Yates