Saints end victory drought with 2-1 win at Middlesbrough

Patrick Bamford scored a consolation goal for Boro, who had already lost any hope of avoiding the drop, after Shane Long missed a penalty for Southampton in an eventful second half.

(Reuters)

Rodriguez fired the visitors ahead in the 42nd minute when he swept home a delightful Long cross from 12 metres and Redmond made it 2-0 in the 57th, curling a fine shot into the top left corner after rounding Boro defender Fabio.

Long shaved the bar with his spot kick after he was hauled down by Boro keeper Brad Guzan before the hosts finally gave their suffering fans something to cheer as Bamford pulled one back with a thumping header from a corner.

(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Toby Davis)