SAINTS’ FA Cup tie against Spurs should have been decided on the day to prevent a replay interrupting the winter break.

That was the view of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after Sofiane Boufal’s 87th-minute equaliser ensured a 1-1 draw and a replay neither side wants at Spurs on Wednesday, February 5.

Hasenhuttl said: “I would have liked to have had overtime and a penalty shoot-out. This is what a cup game is about. We needed to have a winner or a loser in that moment.

“We didn’t have it and it’s a pity because now we have a re-game in our winter break and that doesn’t really make sense for me.

“We have to accept it but this game deserved to have a winner or loser, it was so intense and exciting for the fans.”

A replay is at least preferable to being knocked out and Hasenhuttl was pleased with his side’s spirited response to going behind to Son Heung-Min’s 58th-minute strike.

“It’s important we showed we can compete after being 1-0 down against a strong side,” he continued.

“Both sides took it seriously and that’s what people want to see with a fantastic atmosphere in the ground.

“We saw an intense game from both sides, like ping-pong for 20 minutes. It could have been 3-3 or 4-4.”

Hasenhuttl switched to back three for the last 20 minutes after replacing right-back Kevin Danso with Boufal.

“After the change of shape with the subs we had another gear to speed up the game and we were very strong in the last ten minutes,” continued Hasenhuttl, whose plans for the winter break  have now changed.

“Flights are cancelling,” he smiled. “When you go to the next round you don’t think about flights so let us focus on this game. First we have Liverpool then we have Tottenham.”