Eckert urges fans to give Saints a 'very big lift'

Southampton navigated this stage of the play-offs two years ago with a win over West Brom [Getty Images]

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert is hoping their supporters can give the players a "very big lift" for Tuesday's Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Saints welcome Middlesbrough to St Mary's and will be hoping to book their spot at Wembley for the play-off final as they did two years ago against West Brom under Russell Martin.

Saturday's scoreless draw at the Riverside was a fine result for Eckert's side who had to endure a huge amount of pressure in the first half but had chances to score late on.

"We are at half-time now and I think you can interpret this in many different ways," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"In the end it's important that we bring it to our side on Tuesday and I think that the crowd and the supporters are going to give us a very big lift.

"The boys were outstanding over 90 minutes (on Saturday) and we take lots of the positives into the game on Tuesday."

Southampton are currently on a 20 game unbeaten run in the league and have not lost at St Mary's since a 2-1 defeat by Hull City in mid January.

When Southampton managed to navigate this stage two years ago they eased past the Baggies 3-1 in the second leg of a play-off semi-final that had also had a scoreless first leg.

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