SAINTS might have missed out on the possibility of a return to the Millennium Stadium, yet Danny Higginbotham knows the club must now focus on what are effectively nine Cup finals until the end of the season.

The former Manchester United man was hugely disappointed to suffer a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the FA Cup holders, but stressed that Saints could only look forward and focus on Premiership survival.

He said: "The Cup run is over, this defeat could have been in the league, fortunately it wasn't.

"We have got a massive game next week (at Middlesbrough on Sunday) and we've just got to get on with it.

"Of course everybody loves a Cup run. It was a great feeling when we got to the final.

"We didn't see it as a distraction, we wanted it to go for as long as possible but unfortunately it didn't and we went out.

"In football, though, you are fortunate that you can always put right your mistakes the following week. I've no doubts that we will go to Middlesbrough and produce a good performance.

"It is massive, just like every league game now. We have got to go there and produce the performances of late."

He added: "Obviously the lads are very disappointed but recent form has been very good and it is important to pick ourselves up.

"The most important thing for us is to stay in this league."

Higginbotham returned to the team at left-back on Saturday as Harry Redknapp reshuffled the left-flank with Graeme Le Saux injured and Olivier Bernard moving into midfield.

He had partnered Claus Lundekvam in the centre of defence last week in beating Tottenham 1-0 and gave a typically committed display against his old club.

Higginbotham, though, admitted the timing of United's goals early in the game and then just before and after half-time proved fatal for Saints.

He said: "It's very frustrating, we conceded goals at poor times but they played very well and we didn't play as well as we wanted to.

"We conceded very early on. It was vital we got the next goal after that but they scored and it was very frustrating for us.

"They have got a lot of pace at the back and they are one of the top teams in Europe."