Alex Chamberlain stars as Saints beat Dagenham & Redbridge

The 17-year-old was in scintillating form, scoring twice and setting up another as Saints won 4-0 to move up to sixth - the highest they have been since their relegation from the Championship.

Nigel Adkins' men remain two points behind second-placed Huddersfield, as the league starts to take a bit more shape.

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Saints started brightest and, after three minutes, the exciting Alex Chamberlain raced down the right and fired in a low cross, which Richard Chaplow came agonisingly close to reaching.

Chamberlain then broke at pace in the eighth minute to set up Lee Barnard, but the striker’s effort was well blocked by Scott Doe.

However, the Daggers defence couldn’t keep Saints out much longer, as the hosts took the lead three minutes later.

Chamberlain went on a wonderful run down the right, before delivering a cross which Dagenham keeper Chris Lewington flapped at, allowing the ball to sail in.

Lewington was due to be on the bench, but was put into the starting line-up at the last second, after 41-year-old Tony Roberts suffered an injury in the warm-up.

Dagenham’s first effort came in the 21st minute, when Gavin Tomlin dragged a shot tamely wide from the edge of the area.

Adam Lallana could have doubled the lead two minutes later, as the irrepressible Chamberlain picked out his fellow winger with a great cross.

However, Lallana’s header flew just wide of the post.

Dagenham’s first serious effort arrived in the 28th minute, with Kelvin Davis having to tip Tomlin’s right-foot effort over.

However, Saints doubled their lead ten minutes later, as Chamberlain scored a stunner.

The winger showed incredible vision to chip Lewington from out on the right, sending St Mary’s wild and giving Adkins’ side a comfortable half-time lead.

The second-half started fairly quietly, but a third duly arrived for Saints in the 56th minute.

The always-lively Lallana worked his way down the left and he pulled the ball across the six-yard box for Lee Barnard to turn home.

Adkins made a double substitution in the 64th minute, bringing off strike partners Lee Barnard and Rickie Lambert.

In their place, the Saints boss sent on Reading loan player Nicholas Bignall and Guly do Prado.

Former Eastleigh winger Damian Scannell was hauled off for the visitors two minutes later, to be replaced by Jon Nurse.

Chaplow then went close with an effort midway through the half, which Lewington spilled.

But the fourth arrived in the 69th minute, as Chamberlain went down the left this time and chipped a ball into the box for Jose Fonte to head in.

A long delay followed a few minutes later, as former Weymouth player Scott Doe was taken off after picking up a nasty looking injury. Doe was substituted for Phil Walsh.

Bignall then tested Lewington in the 79th minute, before heading wide from a Chamberlain delivery.

Saints made their final substitution of the night two minutes later, with Chamberlain getting a standing ovation as he was swapped for Morgan Schneiderlin.

And they closed the rest of the game out comfortably, with their climb up the table continuing.