Southampton have secured a laboured but ultimately straightforward 2-0 win against Burnley in this afternoon's Premier League clash at St Mary's.

Shane Long of Southampton celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary's Stadium on March 21, 2015 © Getty Images

The hosts began the brighter of the two competitors as Graziano Pelle and Shane Long linked up well in the Clarets' final third before the former came close to getting on the end of a cross in the box.

Early on in the half Saints keeper Fraser Forster was forced to come off after slipping during a routine clearance, with 38-year-old substitute Kelvin Davis coming on in his place.

Pelle was next to threaten on the quarter-hour mark after being played in by Ryan Bertrand, but the Italian took too many touches and was dispossessed at the last.

The veteran Davis was called into action in the 23rd minute when Sam Vokes smashed a volley goalwards that required an acrobatic parry to put the ball behind.

Fraser Forster of Southampton is stretched off the pitch after picking up an injury during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary's Stadium on March 21, 2015 © Getty Images

Burnley staked a claim for a penalty on the half-hour mark when George Boyd appeared to have been caught in the box, but the referee gave nothing.

Ronald Koeman's charges then went on to open the scoring not long before the break when Pelle's miscued effort fell to the feet of Long, who made the most of the opportunity to smash home from 10 yards.

It could have been two goals to the good for the Saints moments later, but the Italian striker proceeded to smash against the crossbar from just six yards out.

Danny Ings countered with a shot that stung the palms of Davis at the other end, with neither side contributing any more goals come the half-time whistle.

Southampton players celebrate after Jason Shackell of Burnley scored an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary's Stadium on March 21, 2015 © Getty Images

The Saints picked up from where they left off after the restart as Pelle headed the ball down for Steven Davis, who lashed the ball in to the side of the net from a tricky angle.

Goalscorer Long then flashed a shot from range just wide of Tom Heaton's post, and just before the hour, the hosts succeeded in doubling their lead when Bertrand's cross was diverted into the net by Burnley's Jason Shackell.

Burnley were simply unable to muster up a response in the latter stages, leaving Southampton to see out the game and secure all three points to keep up the pressure on fifth-placed Liverpool.

The Clarets, meanwhile, remain in the Premier League's bottom three, one point behind 17th-placed Sunderland, who have a game in hand.