Jamie Redknapp feels a weight has been lifted off the shoulders of the Saints squad after they secured his father's first win against Northampton.

Redknapp junior scored his first goal for the club in only his second start as Saints defeated League Two club Northampton for the second time this season to book their place in today's FA Cup fourth round draw.

The 3-1 victory, which also came courtesy of goals from Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch, saw Redknapp senior get off the mark in terms of wins for Saints at the same Sixfields ground where Steve Wigley got his first win as head coach in the Carling Cup.

Jamie said: "We felt it was really important to get my dad's first win, but more than that to get that winning feeling to give us a bit of confidence. Once you start getting beat and getting draws you get used to that as much as you get used to winning.

"We've got tough games - Newcastle on Saturday and Liverpool the week after, which is going to be a special game - and it just given us that confidence.

"You can see in the dressing room it's just taken a bit of a weight of everyone's shoulders and hopefully that will stand us in good stead."

He added: "We knew it would be tough and I can't say I was looking forward to it because Colin Calderwood's doing really well at Northampton, but we felt we did well.

"It was a good, professional performance, they had a couple of chances but on the whole we were delighted.

"I don't care what anyone says, you don't come to these places and have easy games - it's impossible.

"They're up for it and for some reason they get that extra yard of pace and make their tackles stronger.

"We knew we were up against but it was a thoroughly professional performance."

Redknapp, who before his Saints debut against Fulham last Wednesday hadn't started a match since November 6, managed to get through another hour and looked in good form for Saints as he continues to build up his match fitness.

After a frantic period of games - five in 14 days to be precise - Saints now have a few days to recover and prepare for Saturday's league trip to Newcastle before they host Liverpool the week after.

"I'm feeling really good and I'm really enjoying it down here," enthused Jamie.

"It was a hard game last Wednesday and I was a little bit tired, but I felt a lot better on Saturday than I thought I would.

"Dad said he'd give me an hour with Newcastle this week and Liverpool the following week so my fitness is just getting topped up.

"You can't beat playing games, no matter how much you train."

Redknapp's goal continued his run of early goals for his clubs.