Southampton and Stoke City have played out a 2-2 draw at St Mary's Stadium in the Premier League.

The Saints surged ahead as early as the sixth minute through Rickie Lambert.

Charlie Adam conceded a free kick outside the box, and Lambert swung it past Asmir Begovic.

However, Peter Odemwingie had a good chance to restore parity just two minutes later, but his shot on target was comfortably saved by Artur Boruc.

The hosts could have doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Steven Davis ran with the ball for 60 yards and slipped it to Nathaniel Clyne, but the defender failed to get the better of Begovic.

Moments later Lambert was denied by Begovic in the Stoke goal, despite hitting his free kick well.

Those missed chances came back to haunt Southampton as the Potters restored parity with seven minutes of the first half left through Odemwingie, who latched onto Adam's through-ball and slotted home with ease.

However, the hosts regained their lead almost immediately when Davis's chipped effort was taken into the goal by the wind, but just moments later Peter Crouch bundled the ball over the line to make it 2-2.

Chances were few and far between in the opening stages of the second period, with Jay Rodriguez's header five minutes after the restart the best of the lot.

Stoke were forced to defend deep as the match progressed, but they were able to hold on for a draw.