Southampton needed a late equaliser from Jay Rodriguez to secure a 1-1 draw with Espanyol in a pre-season friendly at St Mary's this afternoon.

The home side were on the attack early as Shane Long tried to get a shot away, before Graziano Pelle had a long-range effort blocked.

However, it was the Spanish side that opened the scoring as Salva Sevilla picked up the ball on the edge of the box following a quick counter-attack, smashing the ball past Kelvin Davis.

James Ward-Prowse attempted to get Southampton back on level terms when he fired a dipping effort towards the Espanyol goal from 25 yards out, but his shot finished just high of the crossbar.

Pau Lopez had to remain alert in the visitors' goal when Pelle picked out Long with a through-ball, but the striker was denied by the Espanyol keeper, who also kept hold of a Ward-Prowse free kick a few moments later.

Rodriguez continued his comeback from injury as he found himself in space in the box a few times in the first half, but he was unable to flick the ball in from Matt Targett's cross.

Southampton continued to look the more likely at the start of the second half as the hosts pressed for an equaliser, but Juanmi fired just wide from a Ward-Prowse corner.

Ronald Koeman's side still dominated possession as the match headed into the final half hour, with Rodriguez looking to set up Sadio Mane with a high ball into the box, but the midfielder's finish was wide.

Despite the match being a friendly, a couple of Espanyol players picked up bookings late on as they battled to try to keep Southampton out.

However, the hosts' pressure paid off late on as Rodriguez spotted a chance from 25 yards out, smashing a swerving shot towards the Espanyol goal to secure the draw.