Southampton have played out a 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in their Europa League playoff 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.

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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 Tim Sparv picking out the bottom-right corner of the Saints' net from 20 yards out.

Ronald Koeman's charges began the second half well and forced the ball into the back of the net 52 minutes in through Steven Caulker, though it was ultimately ruled out for a foul on Andersson.

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Just five minutes later, however, James Ward-Prowse was hacked down by Kian Hansen, prompting the referee to award the hosts a penalty.

Rodriguez stepped up and duly placed his spot kick down the centre past Johan Dahlin to draw his side level with his first goal since March 2014.

The goal gave Southampton a boost as they played with more confidence, Caulker forcing a one-handed save from the opposition goalkeeper in the 65th minute with a thumping header.

Victor Wanyama, Matt Targett, Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse all weighed in with dangerous chances in the latter stages of the game, but were not able to claim a match-winning second come the final whistle.