Thursday Sep 29 2005 22:15
A Matt Oakley brace proved to be enough for Southampton to secure a well-deserved 2-1 victory at Millwall and secure an FA Cup fifth round clash with Norwich City.
Millwall started well and Charley Hearn had a fifth minute effort blocked before the Saints hit back with Fabrice Fernandes having a 25-yard effort saved by Tony Warner in the Lions goal.
Gordon Strachan's side deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute when Oakley drilled the ball home from 25 yards after a patient passing move had opened up Millwall's defence.
Anders Svensson and Fernandes went close to adding to the lead as Southampton began to take control.
However, Millwall equalised against the run of play eight minutes before the interval when Steve Claridge's cross was turned home by Steven Reid.
After the break Antti Niemi did well to stop Reid scoring a second goal while James Beattie headed against the woodwork for the visitors in the 68th minute.
Southampton continued to create the better chances and the only real surprise was that it took them until extra-time to seal the victory.
The goal finally came in the 102nd minute when Oakley brought his goal tally for the season to two when he beat Warner with a 20-yard shot after Anders Svensson had created the opening.
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