BTC Southampton were beaten but by no means disgraced on their big night at Staplewood against a strong Saints U23s side.

Saints scored twice in the first five minutes before the masked Armani Little added two more before the interval as they booked their place in Saturday’s Southampton Senior Cup third-round draw.

Striker Dan N’Lundulu, 18, netted the third-minute opener.

The France-born former England U16 international headed in Tyreke Johnson’s cross at the near post after his first effort had been parried by BTC goalkeeper George Taylor.

The tie was effectively settled two minutes later, when midfielder Tom O’Connor’s deflected strike from the edge of the area went in off the left-hand upright.

As BTC settled, number ten Ryan Wilkins enjoyed a good run deep inside the Saints half before Little slotted in the third in the 17th minute from N’Lundulu’s pull back.

It would have been more than six had it not been for Taylor, who made several good saves, including one from right-back Richard Bakary in the first half.

When Johnson was brought down in unceremonious fashion, Little curled a free-kick, a cross-cum-shot, into the far corner.

BTC’s Lewis Frost had a couple of long-range efforts comfortably saved by Saints goalkeeper Adam Parkes before the Southampton Football League outfit, most of whom were playing in Junior Two last season, continued to do themselves proud in the second half.

Saints missed several chances, while Taylor continued to have an excellent night in the BTC goal.

He produced the save of the night from Johnson, diving full stretch to his right to tip behind when the winger turned and fired powerfully from 20 yards.

He also did well to deny Little and Hale with his legs.

Johnson fired in the fifth in the 73rd minute and after BTC's Ryan Lowbridge had a good strike blocked in the area, substitute Will Ferry scored the sixth with the last kick of the match.

Saints U23s: Adam Parkes, Richard Bakary, Ollie Cook, Aaron O’Driscoll, Will Wood (Jake Vokins 76), Tom O’Connor (Harry Hamblin 67), Armani Little, Harlem Hale, Tyreke Johnson, Dan N’Lundulu (Will Ferry 45). Unused subs: Alex Cull (GK), Christoph Klarer Booked: Ferry.

BTC Southampton: George Taylor, Billy Taylor, Lewis Frost, Dom Yeandle (capt), Joe Glasspool, Jordan Freeman, Tom Page (Jamie Blackwell 58), Ryan Lowbridge, Stefan Williams (Sean Tollevey 48), Ryan Wilkins, Billy Evans (Alex O’Hara 45).
Unused sub: Jack Freebody
Booked: Freeman, Williams, Frost.