Southampton raced into a three-goal lead before the League Two side made a game of it late on. N'diaye Papa Waigo and Adam Lallana gave Saints a 2-0 interval lead and skipper Dean Hammond added a third just before the hour mark, before Adebayo Akinfenwa and Ryan Gilligan reduced the arrears.

"We've come through the tie in one hit, and that's the main thing, not the scoreline," said Pardew.

"We did the job in the first half and the scoreline is slightly flattering in the end, but Northampton matched us for effort and endeavour.

"They were a real threat from long throws, but we defended them well, and the game was all over before they pulled a second goal back.

"We've had three quality crosses and three quality finishes. The system we played relies on runners getting into the box, and we did that."