Camara answers Saints' prayers against Norwich

Southampton climbed off the bottom of the Premiership and out of the relegation places thanks to an 88th minute winner by Henri Camara, shown here in March 2005. Southampton won 4-3 over fellow strugglers Norwich City at St Mary's.

Southampton climbed off the bottom of the Premiership and out of the relegation places thanks to Henri Camara's 88th-minute winner in a see-saw 4-3 victory over fellow strugglers Norwich City at St Mary's.

The Senegalese substitute breathed new life into Southampton's battle to avoid the drop with his well-struck winner after the teams shared six-goals in a first half littered with atrocious defending by both sides.

Defeat left Norwich bottom of the pile - exactly where Saints had been before kick-off.

But Southampton must still earn points from their remaining games away to relegation-threatened Crystal Palace - who trail them on goal difference - and home to Manchester United to be sure of extending their 27-year stay in English football's top flight.

Saints's win was only their fourth Premiership victory in 19 games since manager Harry Redknapp took over in December,

Following last weekend's 4-1 mauling against south coast rivals Portsmouth - Redknapp's former club - home supporters must have feared the worst when Norwich took the lead in the third minute.

Norwich, who had three wins from their last four games, went ahead when David Bentley turned in Leon McKenzie's cross.

But four minutes later Saints were level when Nigel Quashie unloaded to his right after a surging run through the middle for Matthew Oakley to drill a low shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.

Southampton had a fortunate escape a minute later when Norwich striker Dean Ashton smacked a right-foot shot from 15 yards against the post moments before McKenzie had a penalty appeal disallowed after tripping over Andreas Jakobsson.

Peter Crouch was doubtful of starting because of a hamstring injury but he played a pivotal role in Southampton's best moments.

The 6ft 7inches striker scored a brilliant first-time volley after connecting with Rory Delap's right wing cross in the 19th minute as Southampton gained a brief 2-1 lead.

Norwich and England keeper Robert Green then had to deny Crouch with a smart save after half-an-hour before the Canaries raced up the other end to equalise.

Darren Huckerby was allowed to send in a low cross from the left into the six yard box which Southampton defender Danny Higginbotham inadvertently turned into his own net.

Saints keeper Antti Niemi was then required to make athletic saves to deny Huckerby and Bentley as Southampton's defence lived dangerously.

But former England international Graeme Le Saux then restored Saints's lead with another spectacular volley six minutes before half-time, a 20-yard volley making it 3-2.

However, Southampton's good work was undone in the third minute of first-half injury-time when Ashton flicked on for McKenzie to finish with aplomb past Niemi.

The goal rush dried up in the second half although Quashie tested Green four minutes after the restart before Ashton shot just wide from long range on 63 minutes.

Ashton continued to be Norwich's most dangerous outlet and Southampton were indebted to Niemi's block on 68 minutes to keep them on level terms.

Kevin Phillips squandered an opportunity to put Southampton ahead when Paul Telfer's 69th-minute cross found him unmarked six yards out, but the diminutive striker header wide.

With ten minutes left, Niemi made a crucial block from Simon Charlton's header at the back post after Bentley's cross in a nerve-shredding climax for both sides that saw a McKenzie shot drift inches wide.

The home crowd were getting desperate when Camara - a 73rd minute substitute - unleashed a low, right-foot shot past Green for his 12th league goal of the season.