DESPITE missing the entire FA Youth Cup semi-final starting line-up, who were all rested, Saints' under-18s defeated Cardiff 2-0 at home in a performance hailed by director of youth Steve Wigley "as pleasing a result as we'll have all season".

Adam Lallana staked his claim for an FA Youth Cup starting place in Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Wolves by giving Saints an 80th-minute lead after coolly slotting home Feliciano Condesso's through-ball.

Under-16s top scorer Totti then rounded the Cardiff keeper to add the second, his 21st of the season, with the last kick of the game as an experimental Saints side overcame their older and bigger opponents.

Wigley was delighted with the outcome, saying: "That was as pleasing a result as we'll have all season.

"It was a very young side and I thought they did really well.

"I always thought we'd score, and I always thought with our make-up it would be that kind of goal, that it would be a pass and a link-up.

"Adam Lallana had to be patient today because the game wasn't one of those where we could get them on the ball as much as we would have liked. But he was patient and in the end he finished it like he does - better than anybody.

"Adam Lallana will always give you something to think about. He's had the most unbelievable stop-start season. He's a very good footballer and will have a big part to play between now and the end of the season.

"It's been a great two or three weeks in respect of some of the younger lads coming in like Totti and Gareth Bale and Joe Mills, an under-15 player. Today we had a trialist, Ollie Lancashire, who's done well.

"I was delighted with them and it really does feel me with a lot of optimism for next season. The five or six boys that are coming in have acquitted themselves very well in the older age group."

Meanwhile, Saints' under-16s beat Cardiff 3-2 despite losing several key players to the under-18 side.

Strikes from Kane McLaggon and Jamie Hatch gave Saints a two-goal lead at half-time but the Blubirds fought back in the second half to level at 2-2.

Michael Byrne, however, had the final say, bagging the winner for Saints with five minutes remaining.