Gordon gambles but crashes out

Romania were eliminated from Euro 2004 at the weekend amid a general air of fatalism about the country's football. An early goal for Southampton in the constant drizzle last night would have perhaps dampened the fans' fervour.

Instead, the opening 45 minutes contained twice as many bookings - four - as clear-cut chances.

Gabriel Bostina completely missed his kick when bearing down on Antti Niemi's goal after 34 minutes. Then, two minutes before half-time, Phillips raced on to a Fabrice Fernandes pass but could not direct his shot beyond the giant frame of Steaua goal-keeper Vasili Hamutovski. Where Southampton had been cautious in the first half, their approach after the interval was immediately more positive.

It had to be with the Romanian side set to progress on the awaygoals rule if their tie remained goalless, just as they had in their preliminary round tie against Belarussia's Neman Grodno.

Within seven minutes of the restart, Beattie had nodded down a Danny Higginbotham cross, only for the onrushing Rory Delap to fluff his shot, while Anders Svensson sent a 20 - yarder skimming past the post.

Southampton's attacking gamble left them exposed in defence, but deserved greater reward. By contrast, Steaua's intention to hold on was evident when they replaced their inventive playmaker Marian Aliuta with combative Cameroon midfielder Falemi with less than an hour gone. A rasping Florentin Dumitru effort apart, they were happy to defend.

Michael Svensson should have punished them in the 67th minute when he failed to direct a free header on target from only eight yards out. Three minutes later, Paul Telfer sent a dipping volley wide.

After a Phillips curler appeared to graze the outside of a post, the English team's task was made almost impossible eight minutes from time. A speedy counter-attack ended with a low Dumitru cross turned home by Raducanu.

The substitution of Beattie, a flurry of late chances and the European mystery tour was at an end. Phillips said: 'This adventure

is over. Now we have got to win a cup or finish in the top six to start a new one. It definitely won't be another 19 years before Southampton are in Europe again as the club are moving in the right direction. Something is seriously wrong if it takes us that long again.'