Alan Pardew hailed Saints' first win away from St. Mary's this season and believes that it had long been coming.
Saints made it three wins in a week with a clinical display in front of goal as the visitors ran out 3-1 victors at Roots Hall.
"We've been threatening before the Bristol Rovers game that we were going to do this and then we had that horrible moment in that game but we've bounced back well from that," Pardew explained.
"Maybe that might turn out to be a turning point for us. It was a great win and a comfortable second half really.
"We stepped up a gear in the first half, got our goals and we looked a good side in that period."
His team got a two goal margin and shut their opponents out in the second 45 minutes which were aspects that pleased Pardew the most.
"I don't think that's a skill that we've had all season. We've worked on certain aspects of what to do when you get your noses in front.
"When we've taken the lead, which we've done on many occasions this year, we've not been calm, we've not been disinclined enough to see it out, in the second half we did and I am very pleased with that."
The attack minded nature of Saints' play owed itself largely to the way he set his side out and Pardew praised the players who played a key part in its success.
"The system that we've put together is working well," he highlighted. "The two wide players were a threat, Adam and Papa. It stretches the pitch and makes room for our three central players and we did that well.
"Adam in particular was the outstanding performer on the night for me. But we had some good, solid, professional displays, especially in defensive positions and that's how you win games away from home.
"On the bench I had David Connolly sat there, Saganowski, Antonio, Mills, and Chris Perry who came on and did a nice little job to seal the game.
"We're looking a strong unit and while we're still not looking as good as the top teams in this division we're getting better.
"Professional footballers take a lot of criticisms for various reasons but we can't criticise the hard working aspect of the players that I've inherited here," the Saints boss added.
"They've worked very hard and we've got the opportunity to give them the weekend off which we're going to take.
"We can all have a breather, look back a bit and say 'we're doing OK' but now we need to push on."
Over a thousand Saints supporters filled the stand behind the goal that their side defended in the first half and Pardew was happy to send them home in good spirits again.
"The fans were brilliant again and we've repaid the faith of a four or five hour trip made.
"It's been a long wait for this and they've had to be patient but I looked on the bench and things looked a lot different to how it did three or four weeks ago."
