SAINTS took a major step toward earning a home Premier League 2 play-off tie by beating Blackburn Rovers 3-0 on Friday evening.
Second-half goals from Princewill Ehibhatiomhan and substitute Mosey Sesay ensured Calum McFarlane's side secured all three points from a dominant display.
Winter signing Joachim Kayi Sanda had opened the scoring with his first Saints goal, while the woodwork denied Romeo Akachukwu his third of the season.
It was not all good news for Saints, however, as Victor Udoh had to leave the field on crutches after an audible reaction to an ankle injury.
Although Blackburn registered the first shot of the evening, the hosts, Southampton, dominated at St Mary's.
Winter arrival Udoh played a significant role in the early stages, although he lacked the necessary gloss in the final third.
The Nigerian youngster saw an effort rebound off the post before Ehibhatiomhan's rebound was parried behind for a corner.
Southampton broke the deadlock from the subsequent delivery when Kayi Sanda's header came off the underside of the crossbar and narrowly crossed the line.
Ben Reeves appeared to be on set-piece coaching duty, and Saints continued to get joy from corners, with Kayi Sanda heading wide minutes later.
Ehibhatiomhan lashed an effort just past the post as Saints tried in vain to score a second past the impressive Adam Khan.
Udoh was denied his second Saints goal straight after the restart, and the former Standard Liege prospect was forced off just 15 minutes later.
His screams reverborated around a largely empty St Mary's after hitting the deck with what appeared to be an ankle issue.
His replacement, Sesay, was threatening straight away and hit the woodwork from a distance within minutes.
Southampton were lucky not to concede a penalty when goalscorer Kayi Sanda tripped a Blackburn forward in front of the referee inside the box.
And they made the most of their luck by doubling their lead from the spot with 14 minutes to go.
Sesay, who scored his first England under-18s goal last month, won the penalty, which was converted by Ehibhatiomhan, scoring his seventh of the season.
Southampton rounded off their win when Sesay slotted into the bottom corner, while Akachukwu was denied a fourth by the post in added time.
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