ALAN Pardew declared ‘this is a start – a good start’ after watching Saints hammer Carlisle 4-1 to lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this afternoon.

The Saints boss said: "We did a professional job out there.

"We had a side out that we haven’t played a lot lately, and we looked a bit lop-sided at times – but our discipline came through."

Of man of the match Rickie Lambert, Pardew said: "They couldn’t deal with him today.

"Rickie has been a credit to himself and to the club this season – he’s great in the dressing room.

"But it’s a great day for us – the fans were tremendous and I’m glad we’ve given them something to cheer.

"We’ve given them a trophy – ok, it’s not the biggest trophy – but it’s a trophy.

"There’s bigger trophies in this team waiting to be won, but this is a start – a good start."

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