Romain Perraud brace for Saints spoils Mick McCarthy's Blackpool bow

Romain Perraud opened the scoring for Southampton when he fired in a first-half free kick at St Mary’s (Adam Davy/PA)

Romain Perraud scored twice to seal Southampton’s place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win over Mick McCarthy’s Blackpool at St Mary’s.

The Seasiders, languishing in the bottom two of the Championship, held their own in the first half against their Premier League opposition in what was new boss McCarthy’s first match in charge.