Rickie Lambert's debut goal set Southampton on course for a 2-0 Carling Cup win over Northampton.
New striker nets debut goal as Saints progress
Rickie Lambert's debut goal set Southampton on course for a 2-0 Carling Cup win at home to Northampton.
The Saints' new million-pound man, who completed a move from Bristol Rovers only on Monday, headed the hosts in front in the 29th minute.
Highly-rated midfielder Adam Lallana then secured the League One side's passage into the second round with a 68th-minute strike.
Lambert wasted little time getting off the mark for his new club, laying the ball wide for Lloyd James and then getting into the danger zone to direct a diving header home from six yards.
Lallana nearly doubled the home side's advantage minutes later when his well-struck half-volley was kept out by Northampton goalkeeper Chris Dunn.
Costly miss
Cobblers striker Steve Guinan missed a fine chance before half-time and was made to pay for his poor finishing as the tie was killed off with just over 20 minutes on the clock.
James' free-kick was headed back across goal by substitute Grzegorz Rasiak and Lallana was on hand to tap in from close range.
League Two Northampton were forced to chase the game but could not break through a resolute Saints defence.
And the home side went close to adding further goals first through Rasiak and then fellow substitute Jake Thomson, whose late drive was well saved by Dunn.
