ROMAIN Perraud scored twice on his return to the starting XI as Saints edged out Championship strugglers Blackpool 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Frenchman opened the scoring 21 minutes into the game with a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, while the crucial second came an hour into the match with a beautifully placed shot.

Blackpool pulled one back late into the second half via Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino. After slotting the ball in the back of the net, a VAR check for offside was completed and the goal stood.

Saints then survived an aerial bombardment for much of the final 10 minutes to bounce back from successive 1-0 defeats at St Mary’s over the last week.

Manager Nathan Jones awarded a rare rest to captain James Ward-Prowse, who has played every minute of the Premier League and has not been left out of a matchday squad since Cambridge United in August.

Among the rotation was Armel Bella-Kotchap’s return and Romeo Lavia given another start after just 10 minutes midweek, while only Mislav Orsic, Sekou Mara and Lyanco retained starting places.

It was experienced boss Mick McCarthy’s first game as Blackpool manager with the Seasiders second-bottom of the Championship, having beaten Nottingham Forest 4-1 in the third round.

The first chance came for Saints three minutes into the game with a corner and Orsic’s shot going just wide, followed by sighs of disappointment from the home fans.

Another close call for Southampton saw a cross in from birthday boy Samuel Edozie to Perraud end with a shot put in the safe hands of the Blackpool goalkeeper.  

Then Saints got their goal with a free kick taken by Perraud through the wall and beyond the moving Chris Maxwell, after Blackpool’s CJ Hamilton fouled. 

Impressive 41-year-old Willy Caballero saved a shot by Jerry Yates, pushing it slightly over the crossbar and just helping Saints keep the lead in the first half of the match. 

A free kick for Blackpool was saved once again by the Saints goalkeeper, before a stud to the ankle of Bella-Kotchap saw him receive physio treatment on a bandaged knee.

Saints trotted into the half-time break with little to be concerned by but minutes later were sent a wake-up call as Ian Poveda-Ocampo missed a vital opportunity, after the home defenders assumed a ball had gone out of play, requiring Caballero to make a strong save.

Perraud linked up with fellow Frenchman Mara for the second goal, receiving a give-and-go and rolling into Maxwell’s goal to put distance between the two.

Patino pulled one back before a shot from Theo Walcott – playing his first game since Liverpool in November - was kicked over and landed on the top of the net after a deflection.

Six minutes of additional time saw chances for Blackpool to equalise but Lyanco displayed why Jones likes him so much with an essential clearance in the area.

Saints secure their place in the fifth round without the need for a replay after three successive corners were cleared with even the Blackpool goalkeeper lurking.

Saints: Caballero; Maitland-Niles (Walker-Peters, 75), Lyanco, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud; Lavia (Diallo, 86), Elyounoussi, Aribo; Edozie (A Armstrong, 86), Orsic (Walcott, 62), Mara (Adams, 86).

Unused subs: Salisu, Diallo, Alcaraz, Ballard, Adams, A Armstrong, Bazunu (g/k).

Booked: Mara, Diallo.

Blackpool: Maxwell; Lyons, Connolly, Goode, Husband (Thorniley, 57), Hamilton, Trybull (Rogers, 79), Patino (Dougall, 73), Bowler (Carey, 73), Poveda (Lavery, 79), Yates.

Unused subs: Grimshaw, Thompson, Apter, Madine.

Booked: CJ Hamilton, Dougall.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

VAR: Thomas Bramall.

Attendance: 20,665.