Norwich can count themselves unlucky after contributing fully to a fascinating match full of goals, goalmouth incidents and high-class goalkeeping from Robert Green and Antti Niemi.
Each side now has two matches in which to save themselves from the dreaded drop, but each must fancy their chances if they can reproduce the stunning attacking moves seen in this seven-goal thriller.
But the defensive frailties of the Premiership's worst goals against columns were just as evident and there were some heart-stopping moments for both sets of supporters in the best match seen at St Mary's this season.
It was Southampton's sixth win of the season in their 36th match, while for Norwich the tally of goals conceded in league games rose to an astronomical 71 after letting in four more to Saints.
Norwich started brightly enough with a goal in the third minute as David Bentley bundled in a centre from the left by Leon McKenzie.
But Southampton were level in the seventh minute when Matthew Oakley exploited a huge gap down the right to beat Green with a low right-foot shot.
Dean Ashton hit a Southampton post two minutes later before Saints went ahead in the 20th minute. Rory Delap centred from the right and Peter Crouch got in front of Thomas Helveg to steer in his 15th goal of the season.
Green made an outstanding low save to keep out a shot from Crouch in the 29th before Norwich were level two minutes later thanks to an own goal from Danny Higginbotham.
Darren Huckerby got down the left and his low centre into the goalmouth was turned over his own line by Higginbotham at full stretch.
Niemi made two superb saves from Huckerby and Bentley before Graeme Le Saux scored his first goal for Southampton in the 39th minute.
Crouch and Kevin Phillips combined for Le Saux to celebrate his 400th game in the top flight with a low left-foot shot from the edge of the area.
But still Norwich were not beaten and with the last kick of the first half McKenzie got in front of Andreas Jakobsson to nudge a gentle shot wide of the unprotected Niemi.
Green was busy again in the second half with a top-class save from Nigel Quashie and Crouch somehow headed over from six yards when it looked easier to score.
As the tension mounted Niemi made a great save from Ashton and another, of world-class quality, on his line to prevent substitute Simon Charlton scoring against his old club.
There were two minutes remaining when Camara found a bit of room on the edge of the area to beat the gallant Green with a low right-foot shot.
Camara was booked for taking off his shirt, referee Graeme Poll picking up the garment from the ground and making a note of his name while celebrations continued by the corner flag.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Antti Niemi (Southampton) – Made a string of superb saves to ensure Saints kept alive their hopes of staying in the Premiership. Ironically in a game of seven goals, the two keepers were outstanding with Robert Green also in fine form.