Southampton and Stoke City have failed to break the deadlock in the first half of their Premier League clash at St Mary's Stadium.

The Saints made the brighter start of the two sides and could have taken the lead in the 10th minute had Rickie Lambert kept his shot on target.

Three minutes later Lambert once again tried his luck, this time with a header, but failed to keep it on target, before Stoke's Asmir Begovic snatched the ball just as Jay Rodriguez was about to meet Adam Lallana's cross.

Chances dried up thereafter, as the two sides headed into the half-time interval locked at 0-0.