Connolly sends Saints though

David Connolly's second-half debut double helped Southampton see off Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup.

Saints survive a late comeback to progress in Cup

David Connolly's second-half debut double helped Alan Pardew's Southampton see off Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup first round despite a spirited late comeback by the home side. Connolly, making his first start after joining Saints as a free agent, broke a tense deadlock in the 63rd minute when he swept home a left-footed effort from Adam Lallana's cross to put the in-form visitors in front. And just five minutes later Connolly effectively booked the 1976 Cup winners' place in round two when he placed another low shot past Rovers keeper Rhys Evans from a Michail Antonio cross. Antonio added a third for Saints two minutes later after a long ball forward from Richard Lambert. Rovers kept pressing and a goal from Darryl Duffy and a Jeff Hughes penalty ensured some anxious final moments for the visitors.