Stoke City defence delights manager Paul Lambert

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert praised his side's defensive display as Southampton were held to a 0-0 draw at St Mary's.

Lambert inherited the most porous defence in Europe's top five leagues, but his side kept their first away clean sheet in 10 games to deny the Saints a first home win since November.

The hosts were thwarted by Jack Butland during a second-half onslaught as Josh Sims, Cedric Soares and Sofiane Boufal all squandered good opportunities, and Lambert was delighted with how his men held firm.

"We were backs to the walls at times, but we defended strongly. We may have lost this game a month or so ago," he said.

"It's another positive point, and I'm delighted with the team not getting beat. I love it, I love the pressure of it. It's big-time football, and I can't praise the lads enough for their efforts."

Stoke had chances of their own with Badou Ndiaye seeing his header tipped around the post by Alex McCarthy before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's shot was deflected over the bar by Jack Stephens.

The Potters remain in 19th place following a third straight draw, but Lambert's men now face a difficult run of fixtures with home games against Manchester City and Everton coming before a trip to Arsenal.

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The Scot feels the draw is a point gained despite those daunting fixtures to come, adding: "I think any point you get in this division is really good.

"It's a tough game, and we lost Mame (Diouf) at a tough time as I thought he was a threat, and we looked really good going forward on the counter-attack in the first half.

"Peter Crouch only trained with us a few days ago after a nasty injury so that's why we kept him for a little later on.

"Going forward we could've been a bit better but it's another huge point in another away game. We've only been beaten once in six games."