Three goals in seven second half minutes sealed Saints' progression in the F.A Cup.

On a night of ever changing weather conditions in Bristol amongst a backdrop of fireworks in the sky, Alan Pardew's side dazzled in a spell just after the hour mark, as goals from David Connolly and a first for Michail Antonio put Saints 3-0 up. However, two replies from the hosts set up a frantic finish to the game.

Bristol Rovers: Evans, Regan, Elliott, Anthony, Hughes, Williams, Blizzard (Duffy 66), Campbell, Lines, Wright (Swallow 66), Kuffour. Subs (not used): Holmes, Hunt, Reece, Clough, Cooper.

Saints: Davis, James, Thomas, Jaidi, Harding (Gobern 72), Antonio (Mills 78), Hammond, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Connolly (Wotton 78). Subs (not used): Bialkowski, Perry, Holmes, Waigo.

Referee: Mr. K. Hill

Attendance: 6,446 (including 1,457 away)

Saints were without the duo of Neal Trotman and Jacob Mellis who were not been given permission to play by their parent clubs. Wayne Thomas deputised at the back as Antonio and Connolly earned starts.

There was a minute's silence before kick-off ahead of remembrance weekend and the hosts showed their appreciation from one of their former heroes, as striker Rickie Lambert was given a warm reception on his first return to his old club.

The hosts got things underway on a cool, dry evening in Bristol after a persistent rainfall in the afternoon.

The Saints fans packed out the stand behind Kelvin Davis' goal and they got a clear sight of the first shot of the game on three minutes. Andrew Williams' low drive forced Southampton's shot stopper into a smart save with the midfielder's last minute winner at St. Mary's in September still fresh in his mind.

A strong run from Rovers midfielder Chris Lines saw Davis tested again on the quarter hour mark, but the 'keeper saved comfortably down to his right.

Shortly afterwards, Adam Lallana got his first sight of goal from range as he benefited from neat build up between Lambert and Dean Hammond, before unleashing a low shot narrowly wide of the right post.

In the 25th minute Antonio collected Lambert's perfectly flighted pass out wide before sending in a high cross which Hammond headed just over.
Buoyed by that chance, Alan Pardew's side went close again moments later as Lambert cushioned a header into Connolly's path and the Irishman struck a first time effort into the side netting.

The game opened up inside the last ten minutes of the half as the cup tie atmosphere kicked into life, with both sets of supporters urging their team on.

Clear chances remained few and far between though, before Lloyd James had to be alert to clear Saints' lines for a corner which eventually saw Dan Harding having to be equally switched on to head a shot off the goal line.

Two minutes before the break Harding received the first yellow card of the game for a tug on Jo Kuffour down the right hand side.

Lallana had the last shot of the half which went wide of the left post as play entered one minute of additional time at the end of the half.

Half Time: Bristol Rovers 0-0 Saints

No changes were made at the interval by either team as the match awaited the spark required to really set the tie off into life. Antonio almost found Lambert at the far post with an early cross into the Pirates' area but it was taken away from the forward's head by Byron Anthony.

On the hour mark it was Lambert who nearly provided that breakthrough as he struck a vicious direct free-kick on to the outside of the post from 25 yards out.

A quickly taken short free-kick by Lloyd James turned out to be the inspiration for the opening goal of the game on 63 minutes.

His smart thinking released Lallana who cut the ball back across the area and Connolly turned the ball home from close range to put Saints in front.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Antonio's strong run created the space for the goal scorer to run into and when a pinpoint pass was delivered to the striker, he made no mistake from just inside the area as he finished across Rhys Evans into the far corner with a low drive for 2-0.

On 70 it was 3-0 as Antonio went one better. From another menacing run he burst into the Pirates' area before powering home a low drive at the near post to increase Saints' lead.

As the rain began to lash down at the Memorial Stadium, the visitors registered a goal as Kuffour broke through on the right of the area before supplying a perfectly weighted ball for substitute Daryl Duffy to take advantage of as he beat Davis from eight yards out on 74 minutes.

Fellow Rovers sub Ben Swallow gave Alan Pardew's side a scare in the next attack as he volleyed wide, but Saints saw out the storm in the increasingly adverse weather conditions.

Paul Wotton and Joseph Mills replaced the goal scorers as Saints sought to secure the game, but the hosts remained lively, as striker Daryl Duffy almost added to his goal with another one inside the last ten minutes.

Although the conditions eventually calmed, the game continued to be full of drama, as the hosts were awarded a penalty in the second minute of added on time for a foul by Oscar Gobern. Jeff Hughes dispatched the spot kick but Saints held firm to book a place in the second round.

Full Time: Bristol Rovers 2-3 Saints