Half-Time Report: Southampton a goal down against FC Midtjylland

A Tim Sparv goal on the stroke of half time has given FC Midtjylland a 1-0 lead at Southampton in their Europa League qualifying round first leg at St Mary's.

The visitors were first to threaten as a counter-attack gave Petter Andersson the chance to shoot from an angle, but Jose Fonte came across to slide it out for a throw-in.

Three minutes later it was the Saints' turn to threaten, Jay Rodriguez latching on to a long hoof up the pitch, holding off his marker and firing just wide.

Southampton then enjoyed a bright spell laden with a number of chances, but 20 minutes in Midtjylland countered through Jakob Poulsen, who hesitated too long before passing to Morten Rasmussen, who then overhit his effort.

It mattered little for the visitors because they ended up taking the lead on the stroke of half time, former Saints academy player Sparv picking out the bottom-right corner of the Saints net from 20 yards out.