John Hartson's injury time equaliser against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park lifted Wimbledon out of the bottom three and means they know exactly what they have to do at Southampton on Sunday.

Three points would guarantee a place in the Premiership next season - extending a run which goes back to 1986.

The Dons will survive if they fare as well against the Saints as fellow strugglers Bradford City do against Champions League chasing Liverpool.

Hartson, the villain in the 3-0 defeat against Bradford six days earlier, was the hero who sent Dons fans into raptures with his headed equaliser against Villa last Saturday.

But there was agony as well as delight. Michael Hughes was carried off with a broken leg and his target is now to be fit again in time for next season.

Player of the year Kenny Cunningham is a fitness worry for Sunday's sell-out clash at the Dell. Cunningham, an ever present in the Premiership this season, limped off after half an hour with a groin injury.

"I would be disappointed to miss the game as it is such a big one and everyone wants to play their part," he said.

"Southampton played very well against Liverpool last weekend and it will be a very difficult game.

"However, the fact that our fate is in our own hands is a big psychological boost."