Mark Hughes endured a difficult night in his 400th match as a Premier League manager but ended up proud as his Stoke City side battled for over an hour against Southampton with 10 men to earn a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.
Marko Arnautovic was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute for a studs-up challenge on Sofiane Boufal, leaving the home side with an uphill task.
Anger at the sending off grew after Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long - leading the line in the absence of the injured Charlie Austin - appeared to elbow Bruno Martins Indi off the ball without punishment in a tempestuous clash.
Yet Southampton, who moved up to ninth a point ahead of 12th-placed Stoke, could not take advantage despite dominating proceedings.
Nathan Redmond had one effort cleared off the line, Ryan Bertrand forced a great save from Lee Grant and Jay Rodriguez almost got on the end of a Boufal cross but the Saints finishing was blunt without Austin.
