The Premier League’s bottom side looked set for a first victory since the beginning of February but was undone in second-half stoppage-time.

Palace nearly went in front inside two minutes when Jean-Philippe Mateta picked up the ball from deep, ran with it unchallenged and struck an effort from outside the penalty area which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar.

But Southampton nudged ahead when Paul Onuachu's header made its way over the line despite Dean Henderson's best efforts at clawing the ball out.

Palace applied the pressure after the break, with Eberechi Eze curling wide, but it was not until the 92nd minute that it restored parity.

Franca met Jefferson Lerma's cross at the near post and flicked a header towards goal, with Aaron Ramsdale unable to keep it out.

Southampton remains at the foot of the table on 10 points, one shy of the worst Premier League points tally set by Derby County in 2007-2008.

Palace is 12th, but it does have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to later this month against Aston Villa.

Southampton head coach Ivan Juric believed his side's performance merited a win.

"It's frustrating because I think the guys deserved a victory," he said.

"I think we did a very good performance, we controlled the game, didn't risk anything, they score on one set-piece. 

"When you work with the guys for three months you know them, today we really did a good game.

He added: "I'm disappointed because we deserved to win the game.

"The guys must train and prepare for every game like we did today. Then the points will arrive."

Palace boss Oliver Glasner conceded his side was not at its best, but praised its character in preserving its 10-game unbeaten run on the road.

"It was a very difficult game, we were not on our top level, especially with focus and mentality," he said.

"It looked like we were mentally tired. But it was nothing to do with our attitude. We fought until the last second to get the equaliser.

"The points is from the character of the team, we know we can play better but sometimes it’s not to perform at the best level but to fight and keep going until the last minute. It’s a very important point."