Saints sink Gillingham

Marian Pahars and James Beattie celebrate

Gillingham 0-2 Southampton

James Beattie scored one goal and made the other for Marian Pahars, as Southampton booked their place in the fourth round of the Worthington Cup.

Beattie gave the visitors the lead when he coolly converted an eighth-minute penalty at the Priestfield Stadium, having been bundled over by Roland Edge.

The Southampton striker then helped seal a professional victory for the Premiership team after 82 minutes.

After a good run down the right he crossed into the box for Pahars to head home and banish any Gillingham hopes of an upset.

Controversy

The game exploded into life when Southampton were awarded a controversial penalty.

Beattie was sent tumbling by Edge and, although it looked to be a foul, referee Andy D'Urso was in a good position to wave play on.

However, linesman Rob Bone on the right flank immediately put up his flag, and D'Urso awarded the spotkick.

Beattie stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom left corner.

Gillingham suffered another blow when Iffy Onuora was carried off on a stretcher after 11 minutes, following a heavy challenge by Kevin Davies.

Gillingham finished the half on the up and almost equalised in the final minute.

Andy Hessenthaler's free kick from the right was met by Chris Hope, but his header flew just over the bar.

Saints surge

Southampton tried to kill off the tie at the start of the second half and had two good chances to score in as many minutes, both created by the powerful running of Davies.

First, after 49 minutes, he sent in a teasing low cross which just evaded the outstretched boot of Anders Svensson.

Then after 51 minutes he picked out Pahars at the far post and the Latvian saw his header well blocked by Hope.

Gillingham tried to hit back and after 53 minutes Patterson cut in from the right and sent his shot just over the bar.

Vince Bartram denied Pahars twice in the second-half but the little Latvian striker had the last word after 82 minutes from Beattie's cross.

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Gillingham: Bartram, Patterson, Edge, Hope, Butters, Pennock, Smith, Saunders, Hessenthaler, King, Onuora. Subs: Nosworthy, Ipoua, Shaw, Browning, Perpetuini.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Bridge, Monk, Lundekvam, Oakley, Svensson, Marsden, Pahars, Beattie, Davies. Subs: Moss, Ripley, Tessem, Murray, McDonald.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay)