UWE ROSLER rescued Manchester City's fifth away point of the season with an 85th minute equaliser.

Alan Ball, the former Southampton manager, was jeered with taunts of "Judas" on his first reappearance since walking out on them seven months ago.

City looked doomed to end badly when Neil Shipperley, a, £1.2 million Ball signing, put Saints ahead in the 65th minute.

But Ball is banking on German efficiency to get him out of trouble, fielding an unprecedented trio with new £350,000 full back Michael Frontzeck joining goalkeeper Eike Immel and Rosler in his line up.

Five minutes from time City's other debutant, £1 million Nigel Clough, burst info the box on the right.

His shot was blocked and bobbled across for Rosler, who reacted before either stumbling goalkeeper Dave Beasant or any of his defence to steer in his eighth goal of the season.

Southampton know that they missed a great chance put one over their former manager. Ironically, it was Matthew Le Tissier, who seems to have missed Ball most, who put them in a winning position.

The England outcast had another dismal game, his latest show of petulance earning his seventh yellow card and second suspension of the season.

But then, in the 65th minute, he curled a wonderful 40 yard pass across field from left to right for Shipperley, looking a shade offside, to turn clear and run to the edge of his box.

His 20 yard shot was crisp and on target but Immel looked slow" to react as it flew just inside his right hand post for Shipperley's sixth goal of the season.