The 23-year-old left footer, who can play in defence or midfield, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal and could make his debut against Bristol City on Friday.

Terras boss John Hollins said: "Stephen is another quality addition who can play in a number of positions. He is very good on the left and with Kevin Sandwith over that side as well we should see some quality deliveries into the box."

Southampton included ex-Charlton Athletic forward Jason Euell, Poland Euro 2008 star Marek Saganowski, Czech Republic international Rudi Skacel and Colombian midfielder Jhon Viafara in their side.

But the big names did not faze the Terras who again handed run outs to trialists Andy Taylor and Anthony Mason, the latter coming on as a second-half substitute.

Anton Robinson, Stuart Beavon and Pierre Joseph-Dubois also returned to action for the hosts and the trio had an immediate impact.

But unfortunately for the Terras, the visitors soon responded with Jake Thomson rounding keeper Danny Knowles to reduce the deficit on 13 minutes.

Euell then followed that up nine minutes later with a fine strike from 18 yards to level at 2-2 before Thomson grabbed his second just before the break.

The Terras tightened up at the back in the second half and were unfortunate not to get at least a draw with Taylor and Ryan Williams both going close.

Hollins said: "We tried to play a certain way and set about them, and we ended up going 2-0 up early on which was fantastic.

"However, we then started thinking hey, we can play now' and that allowed them to come back into it. The Dutch guys who have come in at Southampton want them to play the Dutch way and when we started to stand off a bit and go too long and too wide they cut through the middle of us extremely well.

"That is why in the second half we tightened things up. We went out with the attitude that we were not going to lose anymore goals and we did superbly. We chose our attacks well and had the ball fell more kindly in a couple of situations we could have drawn level which was the least we deserved."

As for Taylor's performance, Hollins added: "He had a great game and is an excellent player. You see what I am trying to do is get people in to show the lads and the supporters how, with quality, you can do good things.

"As each game goes by, you never know, we might be able to afford another player but at the moment we have the squad we have and it is not bad. However, a couple of injuries could be damaging for us.

"That is where we will be counting on the younger players to step up. We blooded a couple again towards the end and they are certainly benefiting from the experience they are gaining from training and playing with the first team."

City's visit on Friday could see Stephen Henderson return to the Wessex Stadium. The keeper impressed during a loan spell at the Terras at the end of last season and Hollins has admitted he would still like to bring him back on loan.

He added: "I would love to think that could happen but no one has rung me to say we can have him. He may be well here Friday when perhaps we will find out more."