after his loan spells, best returned to play a role in southampton's qualification for the championship play-offs, where they faced derby county. he came on as a substitute in the first leg at st marys, which southampton lost 2–1. in the second leg best started alongside on-loan striker marek saganowski. the game ended in a tie on aggregate, with best scoring an own goal which levelled the score at 2–2 on the night. southampton lost 4–3 in the ensuing penalty shootout, with best missing the opening penalty.