SOUTHAMPTON goalkeeper Paul Jones is confident his side have forgotten about last season's cup humbling at Tranmere and are ready to take on Gillingham tonight at the Priestfield Stadium.

Comparisons can be drawn between the two ties with this evening's Worthington Cup third round match pitching Saints away at a team struggling in the first division - just as last year's FA Cup match did.

On that occasion it was Saints' poor home performance which meant the Merseysiders earned a replay, coming back from 3-0 down to win 4-3.

However, Jones insists his team can handle this match.

"It is going to be a test for us," he said. "Gillingham aren't doing too badly and obviously with them being at home and the conditions like they have been we know we have got to be on our best form to get a result.

"I think it's all down to the form on the night and it doesn't really matter about league placings, as was proved at Tranmere. We know we have got to be on song and perform well to win but if we are below par then we can come unstuck.

"It is quite a tight ground and the crowd will be whipped up because they will be trying to beat a Premiership side, so we have been there before and got a good result against Brighton and we need a similar professional performance.

"As long as we are professional and don't underestimate them then we shouldn't have a problem.

"We have played many games since Tranmere so we are not particularly worried about that at all."

Saints boss Stuart Gray remains confident that his side can progress to the fourth round with a solid victory tonight.

"It is going to be a difficult tie but if we do a professional job like we did at Brighton then I am very confident we can get through the tie," he said.

"I think Tranmere was a one-off and that's in the past now, and we have got to look forward to the Gillingham game.

"Gillingham are the underdogs and the crowd will be up for it and want to turn-over a Premier League side. But if we show the same sort of attitude and mental toughness that we did at Brighton then I am very confident we will get through the tie."