Rovers crashed out of the FA Cup thanks to three goals from Southampton in a devastating eight minute period in the second half.

Rovers staged a valiant fight back to make the score 2-3, but unfortunately they had given themselves too much of a mountain to climb.

The home side created enough chances to win the game in a dangerous second half spell, but unfortunately they waited until going 3-0 down before really starting to play with urgency.

David Connolly scored a quick brace for the Saints, before Michail Antonio added to the score line after a counter-attack from the away side.

Rovers pulled one back thanks to substitue Darryl Duffy, before Jeff Hughes stepped up to the spot to score a late penalty and give the Rovers fans a glimmer of hope.

Paul Trollope was without a number of recent first team regulars for tonight's game. Goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen and striker Chris Dickson were cup-tied, while Aaron Lescott misses out with a groin injury. Danny Coles was still sidelined with his knee injury.

Chris Lines returned to the starting line up, while Rhys Evans took up his place between the sticks. And it was a young bench, with Rob Holmes and Mark Cooper, both first year professionals, included in the senior squad for the first time.

It was the first return to the Memorial Stadium for Rickie Lambert, who got a warm reception from the home fans. He may have left his scoring boots at home tonight, but his team mates made up for it.

It was an open and even first 45 minutes, with both teams getting a lot of possession in and around their opposition's box without really troubling either goalkeeper.

Rickie Lambert scuffed his first touch of the game, much to the delight of the Gasheads, and it set the tone for the rest of his evening.

Rovers came close to taking the lead early on, when Dominic Blizzard found Andy Williams who was denied when Saints keeper Kelvin Davis did well to keep out his low, angled shot.

Andy Williams was proving dangerous in the opening exchanges, as he looked to replicate his performance at St Mary's earlier this season.

Chris Lines then made a great run from midfield, but unfortunately his shot was from the wrong foot and was easily dealt with by Davis.

Southampton's first chance fell to Adam Lallana whose shot from distance sailed past the right hand post. Dean Hammond then had a shot smothered by Rhys Evans in the Rovers goal.

Rovers then narrowly avoided taking the lead when Byron Anthony missed a kick, only for Southampton to clear of the line when the ball was delivered back into the box.

Steve Elliott then did well down the opposite end to stop Lallana from getting a shot away.

The second half started in the same vein, with the crowd really behind the home side. Jo Kuffour had a penalty appeal waved away in the opening exchanges, and good defending from Byron Anthony kept Rickie Lambert out.

Rhys Evans was then called into action to make a great one handed save to tip a header from Antonio round his left post.

Rovers fans held their breath as a free kick is awarded just outside the Bristol Rovers penalty box and Lambert stepped up. Thankfully his fierce shot flies just wide.

The relief did not last long as Connolly opened the scoring, getting on the end of a Lallana cross and rifling a shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Rovers quickly made a double substitution bringing on Ben Swallow and Darryl Duffy for Mark Wright and Dominic Blizzard, but it did not have the desired effect as Connolly doubled the lead just five minutes after his first.

Antonio made a run from midfield and fed the ball through to Connolly who hit his shot across Evans and into the net.

And minutes later Antonio turned goal scorer after a good counter attacking move from the Saints. Antonio got the better of Carl Regan and fired a shot past Evans.

Rovers did not give up and played some of their best football after the devastating blow of three quick fire goals. Substitute Duffy pulled one back with 16 minutes to go after being set up by Jo Kuffour.

Kuffour then won Rovers a penalty after being fouled by Saints substitute Oscar Grobern - Jeff Hughes stepped up to the spot to slot the ball home.

Unfortunately it was too much too late for Rovers, who will be left to rue some good chances that were not converted.

Team: Rhys Evans, Carl Regan, Byron Anthony, Steve Elliott, Jeff Hughes, Mark Wright (Ben Swallow 66), Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Dominic Blizzard (Darryl Duffy 66), Andy Williams, Jo Kuffour.

Substitutes: Charlie Reece, Charlie Clough, Mark Cooper, Ben Hunt, Rob Holmes(GK).

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Lloyd James, Wayne Thomas, Radhi Jaidi, Dan Harding (OScar Gobern 72), Michail Antonio (Joseph Mills 78), Dean Hammond, Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, David Connolly (Paul Wotton 78).

Substitutes: Bartosz Bialkowski, Chris Perry, Papa Waigo Ndiaye, Lee Holmes.

Referee: Mr Keith HIll