Kaly Sene's equaliser at St Mary's means Southampton are now winless in six Championship games while Middlesbrough are seven matches unbeaten
Substitute Kaly Sene maintained Championship leaders Middlesbrough's unbeaten start to the season as they came from behind to draw with Southampton.
Five minutes after coming on, Senegalese forward Sene grabbed his second goal in two games with a deflected effort.
It extends Boro's run to five wins and two draws under Rob Edwards as they remain four points clear at the top.
But it is now six games without a league win for Saints, who are only two points clear of the bottom three.
Captain Adam Armstrong had put them ahead just past the hour mark, but they could not hang on for a much-needed three points.
Southampton boss Will Still had made no fewer than six changes to his starting line-up from the team that had lost at Hull City seven days before in search of a winning formula, including the goalkeeper and three of his four defenders.
There have been no such problems for Edwards in his first few weeks at Middlesbrough and he watched wing-back Matt Targett strike the woodwork with a free-kick as they went close to taking the lead.
However, Boro old boy Finn Azaz had Saints' best opportunity of the opening half when a Ryan Manning shot bounced into his path in the box but he shot over.
But Armstrong provided the breakthrough just past the hour mark with a fine finish from Tom Fellows' cross for his second goal of the season, having managed 24 two seasons ago when Southampton won promotion out of the Championship.
Edwards gambled to try to get back into the game, making five changes and it was one of those, Sene, who delivered.
The signing from Swiss side Lausanne Sports got onto a long pass from Luke Ayling and his effort looped off Nathan Wood and beyond the recalled Alex McCarthy to ensure Boro keep their early season momentum ticking over.
'We found a way' - reaction
Southampton head coach Will Still told BBC Radio Solent:
"The performance was really positive and really encouraging, but we need to change those into points and into wins.
"They are top of the league for a reason, but we've completely nullified their threat, they've had to change their system and shape and I think they'll be pretty pleased with a point.
"A lot of the players that played on Tuesday deserved to be back in the team and we need to find that balance - we're almost there.
"We're fine-tuning things and we're a couple of hairs from turning interesting stuff into wins - that's what we need to do."
Will Still: 'I'm disappointed for the players'
Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards told BBC Radio Tees:
"I'm satisfied with the point. Overall the game was a tough one, you could sense that.
"The crowd was really, really good with them, they made a hell of a lot of changes and surprised us with one or two.
"We played well in the first half but gifted them some moments with some sloppiness.
"We grew into it and we were dominant and then they scored. We had to click into gear, another level, we made some changes and found a way back in.
"Last time we were away from home, we fought back. It's good character, impact again from the side and that's pleasing. The lads are adaptable and we found a way."
Edwards: 'We had to find another gear'
