DAVID Connolly’s match-winning performance against Shrewsbury provided Saints with a timely reminder of his craft and quality.

The striker came off the bench with a minute of normal time remaining to score one and set up another in a 2-0 FA Cup first round victory at St Mary’s.

Connolly, 33, has endured a frustrating second season at Saints.

After remaining healthy over the summer, he looked to be in good shape going into the campaign.

Connolly started four of the first six league games, while he came on as a substitute in the other two.

But his performances fell below the high standards that the former Republic of Ireland international sets himself.

He started Nigel Adkins’ first game in charge – the 2-0 loss at MK Dons – before suffering an abdomen injury that has kept him out for a while.

Having not played for 18 months before signing for Saints in October last year, injuries have been a major problem for Connolly.

So absent had he been in the last few weeks that you could have been forgiven for forgetting about him.

But Connolly’s class is such that you can’t keep him down for long. When fully fit, he can be masterful at this level.

Having played in the top flight for a number of years, as well as having spent a couple of seasons with Dutch giants Feyenoord, Connolly’s natural talent far exceeds most players he shares the pitch with these days.

It’s actually getting him out onto the pitch that so often proves the problem.

But, now fit again, he showed Saints and Adkins why he could still play an important role in the club’s push for promotion this season.

Smart enough to simply stand in a bit of space while Dan Harding let fly in injury time, Connolly was rewarded when the ball rebounded to him after Shrews keeper Chris Neal had saved the left-back’s shot.

The former West Ham and Sunderland forward guided the ball home and Saints into the second round.

To cap off his impressive late cameo, he produced a sublime pass from the left touchline into Adam Lallana just moments later.

It was a ball that completely unlocked the Shrewsbury defence – something Saints had struggled with all day – and the irresistible Lallana made no mistake with his finish.

Saints can’t expect to rely on Connolly every week – history suggests his body won’t allow it – but his vision, guile and finishing ability make him such an asset when he is fit.

If he stays healthy for any sort of extended period of time, Saints could still reap some serious rewards from him this season.