SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC

Southampton's Trinidadian striker Stern John has admitted he spent several nerve-wracking moments on Sunday, after being sent off in their do-or-die clash against Sheffield United.

The 30-year old John scored twice in the second half, but was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute. With Southampton leading 3-2 and needing to win in order to avoid relegation, John said watching the last 10 minutes of the game on television from the dressing room was agony.

"It was very hard. I watched the closing stages on my knees in the dressing room. I was just praying we would hold out," John said.

"It was hard watching it on television. I was very emotional but so glad we came through."

John received his first yellow card for his goal celebrations - removing his shirt - and was then booked again for a sliding tackle on Derek Geary.

"It was probably my first tackle of the season and that's what happened. It was a real striker's tackle, a silly one," John chuckled.

"I took my shirt off after I scored just through the sheer emotion. I was just so full of joy to score such an important goal.

"I think it is a bit of a silly rule but it is the law and I broke it so it was a booking. I just don't think the referee saw, but the linesman pointed it out. He called the referee over and he booked me and said to be careful or I could end up getting sent off."