Saints fans watching the Ipswich V West Brom game pre match got a big boost as the Tractor Boys drew 2-2 with West Brom, but then the afternoon for a long while all appeared to going pear shaped, but it turned out to be one of the most exciting games ever at St Mary's.
No one could complain that they didn't get value for money at St Mary's on Saturday afternoon, Russell Martin opted to stick with an unchanged side from the win at Rotherham last weekend, but that appeared to be a mistake as his team looked a little complacent and probably needed the injection of a change or two to gee them up.
The warning signs were there in the opening half hour as Huddersfield played without fear and took the game to the home side and they got a just reward on 36 minutes when Thomas fired home.
But if Saints fans thought that was bad enough just as half time loomed Kasumu slotted home off the bar to shock the home support and Saints went in at the break two goals down after a shocking first half performance.
There was a second change for Saints at the break, David Brooks came on at half time for Che Adams, whilst Joe Rothwell was already off the pitch after replacing the injured Flynn Downes on 33 minutes.
But it would be Rothwell who would turn the game around 4 minutes after the restart, lashing in a long range shot from distance to reduce the deficit, then just 60 seconds later he completed the turnaround when he ran on to a great pass from his fellow loanee Brooks to fire home the equaliser.
Now you thought it would be all Saints and for a while it was, but again warning signs were there and on 65 minutes it was the visitors who scored the fifth goal of the game, the initial shot was probably going no where, but it took a wicked looping deflection which appeared to be going over but dropped suddenly and landed in the net.
So it was game on again, and the changes were rung, off went Fraser and Stuart Armstrong and on came Sam Edozie and Sulemana, it gave Saints impetus, but Huddersfield were playing without fear and this probably ultimately cost them.
On 79 minutes came another change, one that initially at least didn't please many Southampton supporters, off wen Adam Armstrong and on came Sekou Mara, within a minute Saints were level, Joe Rothwell's low cross being turned into his own net by Lees to send St Mary's wild and upping the atmosphere a notch.
Four minutes later came what turned out to be the winner, David Brooks pulled the ball back and Sekou Mara fired home to give Saints the lead for the first time in the game.
Huddersfield were still game though, a triple change on 87 minutes showed they weren't dead and buried just yet, but before they had a real chance to make an impression, Sam Edozie did, after a goal mouth scramble he showed a cool head under pressure and took the ball sideways and fired home to make it 5-3.
Suddenly though only 5 minutes after wanting a lot of injury time due to Huddersfield's shameless timewasting, Saints fans wanted none at all, so when 13 minutes of injury time came up on the board it was a surprise and a worry as in such an up and down game no one could predict what would happen next.
What did happen was that the home side concentrated on holding the two goal lead and making sure there were no more twists in the game.
The Saints fans present knew they had perhaps witnessed one of the great games in the near 23 years we have been at St Mary's, certainly a year ago we were complaining about entertainment and a lack of goals, no one could say that about this game.
Whilst questions can be asked about our lethargy and complacency in this game and that perhaps as i suggested in the preview that this was a good time to rest a few players, the way that those that came on and those that stayed on, knuckled down, never gave up the fight and eventually put Huddersfield to the sword was testimony to the depth and quality of this squad.
Joe Rothwell was the unexpected hero and man of the match, a superb first goal, a well worked and finished second goal and of course a cross that could only be turned into his own net.
But he was not alone David Brooks provided two assists and then there was Sekou Mara, much maligned by some, I have always stuck up for him for his hard work in the closing stages of games, making sure that there were nor late surprises, this time there was a late surprise as he fired home to win the game for Saints.
Russell Martin now has a dilemma, he has the likes of Brooks & Edozie, not to forget Sulemana at his disposal, Joe Rothwell has staked his claim for a place and suddenly we have real competition for places and the most exciting thing, goals from all areas of the team.
The end of the day sees Leeds still digging in and hanging on to our tails by a point, although we have a game in hand, but Ipswich on the same 30 games played are now 4 points adrift.
We took another big step in this game as we secured not only another victory but extended the unbeaten run to 25 games.
But the real step we too was that we showed that behind the controlled possession football we usually play is a never say die attitude, that proves we can roll up our sleeves and graft and win ugly sometimes.
We march on as they say and we now have to hit the road and keep it going.