Rickie Lambert returned from injury to score a stoppage-time equaliser for Southampton against Blackpool this afternoon.

Southampton started the encounter as the brighter side and broke the deadlock after 30 minutes through Lambert. The striker, who had been nursing a hip injury, saw his effort beat Matt Gilks via a deflection off Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart.

However, the away side were only behind for six minutes, with midfielder Craig Basham turning in Stephen Crainey's low cross from close range.

Both sides had chances to take the lead going into the break but Lambert saw a powerful effort saved by Gilks, while up the other end Matt Phillips struck the post for Blackpool.

Shortly after the restart Saints goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski committed an error when he allowed Callum McManaman's low shot into the net after initially appearing to have held the ball.

League leaders Southampton asserted a large amount of pressure on the visitors and it finally told three minutes into time added on.

Frazer Richardson was the creator, crossing in for an unmarked Lambert to head past Gilks.

Southampton are now three points clear at the top of the Championship table.