Fraser Forster's late heroics sealed a 1-0 win for Southampton against West Brom after Jordy Clasie bagged his first Premier League goal.
The pair combined to earn a deserved win for the Saints during a pedestrian game which only briefly came to life.
Southampton closed the gap on Albion to four points -- and they have two games in hand as the teams battle for eighth spot.
But Claude Puel's side only secured back-to-back wins thanks to goalkeeper Forster, who denied Craig Dawson and Jonny Evans in stoppage time.
In contrast, Albion were condemned to a second straight defeat and they have won just once in their last six games as their attempt to break the 50 points barrier for the first time in the Premier League continues to stutter.