The game turned on a moment of madness on the stroke of half-time. Oakley and Woodhouse became involved in handbags following Nicky Barmby's equaliser and captain Quashie waded in throwing Woodhouse to the ground and earning a red card.
As Oscar Wilde might have said, had he turned football pundit, to lose a goal may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose your captain looks like carelessness.
Quashie was already out of the Wolves game after picking up five yellow cards this season. The straight red card adds an automatic three match ban, keeping him out until boxing day.
Nigel Quashie has been the stand out player for Saints this season, bossing the midfield, driving the team forward, as well as being our top scorer. With Dennis Wise also out with a thigh injury, Saints are lacking leaders in midfield.
Redknapp is trying to bring in a loan signing in midfield to try and fill the void he will leave behind during his suspension but it is difficult to think of anyone that could adequately replace him.
With the full transfer window looming and Saints league position slipping, there is a real risk that Saints could lose the player that has been so outstanding for Southampton and Scotland. If we were tucked nicely into the play-off positions, then it would be hard to see such a loyal player leaving the club.
However, with little chance of automatic promotion and the play-offs slipping slowly out of view, his frustration may lead to a desire to test himself at the Premiership level he is more than capable of. Saints other players and the management simply must rise to the challenge, but we've been saying the same thing all season.
Despite Saints carving out some good opportunities, particularly thanks to livewire Theo Walcott and even a strong cameo from late sub Ricardo Fuller, you always felt that our bad luck would continue and that the 10 men would not overcome the 11.
At least Saints were spared the pain of a defeat, but in this league draws will get us nowhere and with just two points out of the last available nine, Saints are going nowhere fast.