Saints gave themselves a great chance of making the play-offs after defeating Norwich 1-0 at Carrow Road.

A solitary first half strike from Leon Best was the difference between the sides and after last week's win over Leeds it was back-to-back 1-0 victories.

Saints go into the last game of the season at home to Southend as a front runner for a play-off spot though it will not entirely be in their own hands after Stoke also won but at least they have given themselves a terrific opportunity.

Saints almost got in on goal in the first minute when Jhon Viafara speared in a ball from the right that was only just out of the reach of the outstrecthed leg of Leon Best at the far post.

The open exchanges of the match were tight, both teams looking dangerous in attack.

Saints were building patiently and trying to keep the ball as a platform for their attacks.

Norwich has blistering pace in the shape of Darren Huckerby and Robert Earnshaw who was playing on the shoulder of the last man.

Best saw half a yard to have a crack on 11 minutes but his low drive form 20 yards was never on target, Saints broke quickly on 20 minutes when Viafara picked up Adam Drury's underhit pass and galloped down the right. He lifted the ball to Kenwyne Jones at the far post but he directed his header wide of the target.

Chris Baird had a shot from distance after running unchallenged into the Norwich half two minutes later but his effort from 20 yards was stopped by the keeper down to his left.

Alexander Ostlund tried his luck from a similar distance just seconds later and saw his shot dip over the bar.

Earnshaw gave Saints a timely reminder at the other end when he ran on to a through ball and shot from a tight angle on the left with Bartosz Bialkwoski spreading himself well at the near post to save.

Jones had a dig from 20 yards but it was comfortable for the keeper.

But Saints did take the lead with the first genuine chance of the game on 30 minutes.

Andrew Surman had the ball on the left and played in Gareth Bale on the overlap. He crossed low and back out from the by-line and the ball reached Best 12 yards out and he drilled a left footed shot not far from Tony Warner but with such power he couldn't keep it out.

Warner was in business again on 34 minutes when he had to turn Bale's 20-yard free kick over the bar.

Saints had a desperate scramble in their own six yard box a minute later as the game opened up after Darren Huckbery broke down the right and crossed but between Baird, Bialkowski and the post they managed to get it clear.

Bale had one final go with a shot from fully 40 yards which was straight at the keeper but when the half ended it was with a satisfying 1-0 scoreline for Saints.

Just two minutes after the re-start Saints came close to getting the goal that would make the score more comfortable.

Best headed back out to Jones on the edge of the area and he volleyed towards goal but Warner was alert and dived to his right to turn the ball away from the bottom corner.

Norwich had the next chance with Dickson Etuhu not connecting cleanly from a corner and Danny Guthrie's clearance flashing wide of the Saints goal.

Saints thought they had doubled their lead on 53 minutes when Guthrie got in down the right and crossed to the far post where Best tapped in but the linesman flag was up for an offside against Best and it was ruled out.

Bale became the first player in the book for a foul on Huckerby but the Norwich man escaped without a card despite an angry reaction to the challenge.

The game was getting livelier as the half went on.

Norwich were looking for a goal and they opened up with Huckerby, Chris Martin and Earnshaw almost making a front three which created more space for Saints, as did their host's often deep defensive line.

The Canaries changed it round on 61 minutes when Michael Spillane came on for Martin.

Bale tried his luck with a quick free kick on 67 minutes but only picked out the keeper who was alert and caught.

Saints were forced into a change on 70 minutes when Jones limped off after treatment to be replaced by Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Norwich responded with a substitution of their own a minute later with Kris Renton coming on for Lappin.

Saints were coming udder increasing pressure from Norwich as they poured forward with their fans baying for a goal but the defence were holding firm and not allowing any clear-cut chances.

Best had a great chance to make the three points safe with seven minutes to go when Guthrie played him in from the right with a beautiful ball. The striker tried to put his shot across the keeper into the far corner but put it straight at Warner who was able to save.

Saints were running the clock down with five minutes to go and doing a good job of keeping it in the corner.

Bialkowski did have a save to make on 87 minutes but was well behind Etuhu's effort from 25 yards.

Dion Dublin pushed up front for the final moments and knocked the all back to Earnshaw who thrashed a volley wide.

David McGoldrick was thrown on for the final throes replacing Best.

The fourth official held up the board to show three minutes of stoppage time and Saints knew what they had to do - hang on for the win.

But in the end there was no need for nerves as Saints saw out the time comfortably and took the three points which put them in a great position heading into the final game of the season.