Source: Team_Talk
Blackwell pleased by Ward winner
United looked to have dropped two crucial points in their promotion bid after Andrew Surman struck in the 89th minute to cancel out defender Greg Halford's first-half opener.[LNB]The Southampton players were still celebrating Surman's equaliser when former Chesterfield striker Ward broke free before finishing expertly into the bottom left corner from the edge of the penalty area two minutes into stoppage time.[LNB]"Jamie took his goal superbly well and we were delighted to see the ball fly in off the post," Blackwell said.[LNB]"There was a lot of competition to sign him in January but we are pleased to have got him and we were certainly grateful to have him tonight."[LNB]United had been forced to play out the final 50 minutes a man light after striker Darius Henderson had been sent off, and Blackwell praised the resilience of his team.[LNB]"My lads showed tremendous spirit and determination to play for so long with 10 men and I was gutted when Southampton equalised," he said.[LNB]"To go straight up the other end and get the winner speaks volumes for the character of the team and I thought we deserved it."[LNB]Midfielder Brian Howard had already had a shot cleared off the line when he crossed to the unmarked Halford to head home at the back post 10 minutes before half-time.[LNB]Henderson set up a difficult second half for his side when he was shown a straight red card for stupidly kicking out at Southampton defender Jan-Paul Saeijs in a bizarre off-the-ball incident.[LNB]Southampton made their numerical advantage tell with just a minute left on the clock when Surman smashed in Lloyd James' cross to make it 1-1.[LNB]Saints' new Dutch manager Mark Wotte urged his struggling side forward in search of a late winner when Ward struck his sucker punch.[LNB]"I could not settle for one point against a team with only 10 men," Wotte said.[LNB]"A point does nothing for us and we needed three points so I had to push people forward and we got caught out.[LNB]"It was a great finish from Jamie Ward but nine times out of 10 the ball would have gone wide.[LNB]"We have not lost the war tonight, we have only lost a battle and we have to keep on fighting.[LNB]"Every game is massive for us from now on and we need to win them all."[LNB][LNB]
