WILY campaigner Keith Southern played down the bizarre end to an incredible roller-coaster match that saw Huddersfield Town escape relegation.

The teams appeared to give up in the final minutes when it became clear results elsewhere meant a draw was enough for both to stay up.

Barnsley keeper Luke Steele, a former Peterborough player, hung on to the ball in his own box unchallenged for an age to help send Posh down instead.

Midfielder Southern claimed afterwards he has seen it happen before and Saturday’s spectacle was nothing like as dramatic.

The Huddersfield Town veteran said: “About five years ago Blackpool needed a point on the last day to stay up and Watford needed a draw to make the play-offs.

“The last half an hour was played virtually in the centre circle. I don’t think Saturday was anything like as extreme.”

He added of the drama: “We were up, down, up and down again at times. But we got the job done in the end and as it turned out Peterborough and Millwall both lost.

“I’m pleased for everyone at the club that it turned out well. We can now have a break and hopefully come back stronger next season.

“With the start we made, it wasn’t on anyone’s agenda to be in a relegation battle. But we’ve come through and hopefully we’ll be better for it.”

A poor opening period could have been costly and Southern said: “Not a lot needed to be said at half-time as we all knew it wasn’t good enough.

“All the manager (Mark Robins) said is we needed a strong performance and a goal. Thankfully that’s what happened.”

He hailed his fellow substitutes Danny Ward and Lee Novak for helping to change the game and said: “Wardie’s got great pace and skill.

“And Novak contributed well, as he always does. I think he’ll be a miss if he goes. He’s the right age and can be a handful.”

He also praised scorers Jermaine Beckford and James Vaughan and said: “They’ve both got Premier League quality and showed it with their finishes.

“It’s a pity we’ve not had them as a pair as much as we’d have liked. But without their goals in recent weeks I dread to think where we’d have been.”

Media shy Beckford, meanwhile, signed off at the end of his loan spell from Leicester with one of his few public comments.

The former Leeds and Everton striker said: “I’d like to say thanks to fans for being so good with me. I’ve had a great time here."