Alan Pardew admitted that his team were given a tough test in round three of the F.A Cup, but he anticipated nothing less.
The Saints manager was pleased with the attitude of his side who took a first half advantage in the game when they were on top of their opponents, before the Hatters came back at the hosts in the second period.
"I didn't expect anything different," Pardew disclosed afterwards. "It's the F.A Cup third round and they you're always going to have a go, whatever position you're in. I thought we were absolutely terrific first half, probably couldn't have played any better, their goalie made two great saves to keep it at one, but second half they responded well.
"Luton played five rounds to get here so they're going to fight and they did. They gave a real good account of themselves second half, they had a great chance where one of our guys mis-kicked it, but we had chances on the break, so I think it played out as I thought it might, and fortunately for us we got through.
"In the second half, they brought on two quick ones and they caused us a few problems, we didn't retain the ball as well as we would have liked so it made it very, very even. As I say, this is what the Cup is all about, and I wouldn't have expected anything less, they have come a long way to get here and they weren't going to lie down and let us dictate like we did in the first half. I warned the guys at half time, but it is all well and good talking it, you've got to be able to deliver and their enthusiasm and endeavour in the second half was just slightly greater than ours, which made it more even.
"We didn't really work the goalkeeper enough in the second half and they put us under pressure which made us a little bit edgy."
Rickie Lambert's superbly struck free-kick was the difference between the two teams in the end and the gaffer hailed the influence of his top scorer.
"Well he scores all sorts of goals of course, but sometimes the further he is out the better for him because he can get it up and down. He nearly did it with the first chance, and with the second chance he made no mistake, he's a very important player for us."
Kelvin Davis returned to the side for the first time since he injured his groin at Hartlepool in November and he showed no ill effects from his absence as he kept a clean sheet against his former club.
"I thought he was excellent throughout, which just goes to show the conditioning of the fella and his professionalism, that he can come back in at that level."
Pardew concluded that he would prefer a home draw in the next round, but insists that the targets have not changed for the season.
"We just want to have a big season here at Southampton, whatever competition it is, and we have done well in the cups so far. I didn't say anything to the team afterwards, I didn't criticise or praise them, we're in the draw and that is all that matters.
"It's just a feel good factor for our fans, wouldn't it be nice to get a Premier League Club down here and have the place full, that's the opportunity that you have when you get into the hat. We will take whoever comes out, but I would put this side up against anyone, and we will give anyone a game."
