Full time: Bristol Rovers 2 Southampton 3: Bristol Rovers paid the price for a second-half cave-in as Southampton scored three times in a seven-minute spell to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup, writes Chris Swift.

David Connolly marked his first start for the Saints by netting their opening two goals, and powerful on-loan Reading winger Michail Antonio rampaged through the Pirates' defence before inflicting further damage.

Though substitute Darryl Duffy then pulled one back for the Pirates and Jeff Hughes converted a late penalty, it was no consolation for a sixth defeat in a row – and one that saw Rovers exit the competition at the first hurdle for the second successive season.

The home side enjoyed the better of the opening period, but Saints came back into the game strongly in the second half and superior finishing was to prove decisive.

Rovers made two changes from the side that started the 2-1 defeat at MK Dons, with Rhys Evans recalled in goal in place of the unavailable Mikkel Andersen, while Chris Lines returned to a five-man midfield after injury.

Much had been made of Rickie Lambert's return to his old club and within a minute the big striker was eyeing up a shooting opportunity – only to miss his kick.

It was Rovers who carved out the first opening. Dominic Blizzard's pass found Andy Williams and he cut in from the right and let fly with a low, angled shot which keeper Kelvin Davis beat out.

The Pirates made a positive start to the game and Williams, who had tormented the Saints from the bench when the sides met at St Mary's in September, again looked a danger when he ran at the visitors.

Lines was keen to get in the action too, and set off on a powerful, diagonal run which took him into the box, but the midfielder was left with a tight angle and his shot lacked the power to beat Davis.

It was 20 minutes before the Saints had their first glimpse of an opening, but Adam Lallana shot just wide of a post from 20 yards after being teed up by Lambert.

Five minutes later though, the visitors should at least have tested Evans but failed to hit the target – Dean Hammond the culprit when he headed a cross from Antonio over the top from 10 yards.

Saints had started to get a foothold in the game after a quiet start, but Rovers were still trying to take play to them and Williams made another good run down the right, only to over-hit his cross beyond his advancing team-mates.

Then Byron Anthony missed his kick as a cross flew across the face of Saints' goal and when Carl Regan turned the ball back in, Dan Harding cleared off the line.

Seconds later at the other end, it took a superbly-timed tackle from Steve Elliott to prevent Lallana capitalising from more good play by Lambert, who then rifled a shot wide of the target.

Anthony had to make an important headed clearance from almost under his own bar as Antonio delivered another teasing cross five minutes into the second period.

Then, on the hour mark, Lambert issued a reminder of his prowess from set pieces when he lined up a 25-yard free-kick but saw his right-footed strike bounce away off Evans' left-hand post.

Saints went in front from a quickly-taken free kick in the 63rd minute. It was fed to Lallana down the visitors' left and he delivered a cross which Connolly converted from close range.

Five minutes later, the margin was doubled. Antonio was the provider with a diagonal run at the Rovers' defence before finding Connolly, who cut his shot back across Evans and inside the far post.

Worse was to follow two minutes later as Antonio rampaged his way through the defence before firing the Saints into a three-goal lead.

It had been a disastrous collapse by the Pirates, but they were given at least a glimmer of hope with 16 minutes left when Kuffour set up substitute Duffy, who slotted home from12 yards.

The deficit should have been reduced further when a Williams' shot was beaten out by Davis and went straight to Duffy – only for the striker to volley wide.

Rovers pulled another goal back from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Kuffour was fouled by Oscar Gobern. Jeff Hughes converted the spot-kick – but there was no time left for a dramatic comeback.