Saphir Taider pushed his claims for a first team spot with a goal in an all-action display for Saints under-21s.

Taider, who is on a season long loan from Inter Milan, played the full 90 minutes in the first league game of the season against Fulham at Staplewood.

It was a chance for Taider to gain some match fitness having only joined Saints just over a week before the start of the campaign.

And Taider, who was an unused sub for the first team game against Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend, delivered an impressive display as Martin Hunter’s side drew 1-1.

Fulham took the lead on 78 minutes with Freddy Pluiman slotting home past Paulo Gazzaniga before Taider equalised just three minutes later, calmly creating himself space to shoot after picking up Jason McCarthy’s blocked shot.

Saints under-21s: Gazzaniga, Mason (Wood 79), McCarthy, Stephens, Targett, Reed, Flannigan, Taider, Sinclair (Sims 40), McQueen, Rowe.