IT WAS the Best possible ending for Saints Under 18s last night as Leon Best's injury-time goal sealed a 3-1 win against QPR at Loftus Road.

Saints went into the third round match as hot favourites following their exceptional 15-match winning run in the Under-18 Academy League.

But Saints were given a few scares.

Saints coach Georges Prost had strengthened his side by including reserve team regulars Best and Martin Cranie, despite them only playing one Under 18s league match each this season, and recalling pacy winger Theo Walcott and tigerish midfielder Lloyd James.

Saints dominated the first half and created several chances, with Best blazing over from close range with the goal at his mercy, but fell behind in the 39th minute totally against the run of play.

The defence allowed a long throw-in to bounce behind them and, with the faintest of touches, Shebax Baidoo slipped the ball under keeper Andy McNeil.

But Nathan Dyer sent Saints in level at the break when he latched on to Best's through ball to lift the ball skilfully over onrushing keeper Sean Thomas from 20 yards - although Thomas clattered him afterwards leaving Dyer dazed for a couple of minutes.

The second half started quietly but Walcott put Saints in front on 63 minutes when he flicked on Tim Sparv's corner with a near post header, although the final touch was from the leg of a home defender.

Walcott, who is only 15, nearly scored again six minutes later in highly controversial circumstances. An in-swinging Rangers free-kick was punched away by McNeil and Saints counter-attacked, not realising that two opponents were down with head injuries back in the Saints penalty area.

Walcott found Tim Sparv on the right and Sparv's cross was headed goalwards by Best forcing Thomas to tip over with Rangers fans going ballistic at the referee for not stopping the game.

The tie then became an exciting end-to end affair with Rangers having two tenuous penalty appeals turned down as a vociferous crowd continued to vent their anger at the referee.

Luke Townsend seemed set to dramatically equalise in the 89th minute when he was about to shoot from just eight yards, but Saints skipper Cranie made a heroic last-ditch tackle.

Saints outlined the gulf in quality, though, with the deciding goal in the fourth minute of added time.

Man of the match Dyer broke on the left and fed the ball through for Dave McGoldrick, who ghosted past two defenders before squaring the ball to Best.

The noisy band of around 70 Saints fans could finally celebrate victory.

Saints (4-4-2): McNeil; Critchell, Cranie, Rudd, Richards; Dyer, Sparv, James (Feliciano, 83), Walcott; Best, McGoldrick.

Prost: Not good for my heart!

SAINTS Under 18s coach Georges Prost was delighted with last night's FA Youth Cup victory.

It took a 94th minute goal from Leon Best to seal the 3-1 win for Saints after some heavy Rangers pressure late on and Prost quipped: "The third goal came a bit late for the coach. If he scores the third goal 20 minutes before the end it's better for the coach's heart!"

Prost added: "The team spirit was good and we were very competitive.

"Nathan Dyer, Martin Cranie and Lloyd James were the best players but I was pleased with the whole team. In the first half we did very well, we played good football and created four or five good chances, their keeper did very well, and then they scored!

"I was a little bit worried but fortunately we showed a good reaction and scored quickly with the goal from Nathan, it was a terrific finish. I was very happy with Nathan tonight, he did very well, he has great pace.

"We started the second half well but QPR were highly motivated and it was a real cup game, very tough.

The opponents put lots of pressure on us from set-pieces but we were good in the air and good in the tackle. We deserved to win."

Saints have been drawn at home to either Burnley or Norwich in the fourth round and Prost, below, is delighted with the prospect of his side playing at St Mary's in January.

"It's good for the lads. We haven't played a Youth Cup game at home since we lost to Sunderland two years ago so it will be great to play there," he added.