It was a disappointing afternoon for Bristol Rovers in front of their home supporters, as they went down 4-0 to an impressive Southampton side.

Rovers never really got going, as the Saints eased to victory at the Memorial Stadium.

The goals came from Jose Fonte and Adam Lallana in the first half, then a Rickie Lambert penalty made it 3-0, before Lee Barnard rounded things off in extra time.

Manager Paul Trollope named an unchanged side as new loan signing John Akinde is carrying a slight injury, so was not risked for today's match.

Carl Regan returned to the bench following an injury, but Dominic Blizzard missed out because of a hamstring problem.

Southampton started the game the better of the two sides, with former Gas favourite Rickie Lambert firing a free kick wide of the post.

The big striker then came close again, firing a shot from 20 yards into the side netting - causing the Southampton fans behind the goal to start celebrating as they saw the netting ripple.

Rovers first chance of the game came a few minutes later from a set piece. Chris Lines hit his free kick straight against the Southampton wall, but the ball rebounded to him, and he found Danny Coles on the edge of the area.

Coles sent a shot from the right which fizzed across the face of goal but went wide of the left post.

Southampton seemed to be quicker to every ball, and they took the lead on 10 minutes. A Saints corner was whipped into the box to be met by Jose Fonte who volleyed the ball in from close range.

The visitors continued to push Rovers back and nearly doubled their lead moments later, but the dangerous Adam Lallana wasted a good opportunity and sent his shot wide.

Chris Lines perhaps should have done better with a close range shot which resulted from another set piece. Wayne Brown whipped the ball back into the box following a corner, and found the head of Will Hosins. The striker nodded the ball to Lines who toe poked it over from close range.

Coles came close to levelling things for Rovers, when he almost scored for the second time. He met Stuart Campbell's corner with a powerful header, which forced Kelvin Davis in the Southampton goal to make a decent reaction save.

Unfortunately for Rovers, Southampton regained control and doubled their lead moments later. Dean Hammond scuffed a shot, which rolled through to Lallana.

Rovers players were convinced he was offside, but the flag stayed down and the midfielder slotted the ball home.

Byron Anthony made a flying clearance just before the half time whistle to stop the visitors extending their lead to 3-0 before the break.

Both sides made substitutions just after the restart, with Rovers bringing on Charlie Reece to replace Wayne Brown.

The second half began in uneventful fashion, as Southampton held on to the ball and frustrated Rovers.

The Saints then made it 3-0 after Lee Barnard was brought down in the penalty area. Rickie Lambert stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball hope past Mikkel Andersen.

Lambert pushed on for another goal, and Danny Coles got his body in the way to block a shot from the Scouser. Jason Puncheon then had a long range shot that forced a save from Andersen.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Will Hoskins who tried his hardest to produce something for Rovers without much assistance.

Hoskins picked up the ball in midfield and put a pass through for Jo Kuffour to run on to. Unfortunately the pass went a little too far and was picked up by Davis.

Gary Sawyer had the best chance of the game for Rovers when he unleashed a fierce left foot shot from out wide. The ball appeared to beat the keeper but hit the bar and went out for a corner.

Substitute Charlie Reece was then brought off to be replaced by Darryl Duffy. The midfielder took a knock shortly after coming on, and although he tried to run it off, he was not able to keep up with the game.

Rovers had to scrabble to clear the ball after Danny Butterfield had a shot which Andersen blocked. The ball fell loose and bobbled around the area before being hoofed to safety.

Southampton were passing the ball for fun, and it was no surprise when they got their fourth in the first minute of extra time.

Barnard received the ball in the box and chipped it up and into the back of the net to complete their emphatic victory.

Rovers will now be hoping to put things right before they visit Oldham next weekend.

Rovers: Mikkel Andersen, Byron Anthony, Danny Coles, Gary Sawyer, Wayne Brown (Charlie Reece (Darryl Duffy)), Stuart Campbell, Chris Lines, Jeff Hughes, Will Hoskins, Jo Kuffour

Substitutes: Mike Green, Eliot Richards, Carl Regan, Harry Pell, Ben Swallow

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Dan Harding, Jose Fonte, Danny Butterfield, Aaron Martin, Morgan Schneiderlin (Gully do Prado), Jason Puncheon, Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana (Ryan Dickson), Rickie Lambert (David Connolly), Lee Barnard.

Substitutes: Bartosz Bialkowski, Radhi Jaidi, Paul Wotton, Alex Chamberlain.

Referee: Mr G Scott