Phillips broke the deadlock in the 29th minute at Sixfields but the Cobblers were back on terms within 60 seconds thanks to a Lee Williamson equaliser.

But Southampton were 2-1 up before half-time after Phillips set up Peter Crouch and then the Saints skipper provided a similar service for Jamie Redknapp in the second half.

It was the Saints who were first on the attack with Danny Higginbotham launching a long ball out to the right wing where it was nodded on by Crouch. Prutton took control of possession and produced a fierce cross which Phillips could only volley over the bar.

Next, it was Neil McCann crossing from the left with Ashley Westwood clearing over his own crossbar at the expense of a Southampton corner.

Crouch’s appeals for a penalty following Chris Willmott’s challenge were then waved away before the hosts had a chance to assert themselves through Martin Smith.

But his weak free-kick, hit from 18 yards, failed to trouble goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

Another Northampton free-kick, taken from the right channel by David Rowson, came to nothing. But soon afterwards there was a chance for Trevor Benjamin, the Leicester striker who is spending a month-long loan spell at Sixfields, and he flashed a shot marginally wide of Niemi’ s woodwork.

At the other end, Crouch was making a nuisance of himself before being crowded out by Chambers ahead of a trademark long throw from Rory Delap being collected by Town keeper Lee Harper.

By the quarter-hour mark, the Saints were beginning to look assured in possession until Claus Lundekvam inexplicably allowed a loose ball to run goalwards. In nipped Scott McGleish but Niemi was quickly out of his blocks to smother the danger.

The game sparked into life just short of the half-hour mark though when the Phillips broke the deadlock. He was unmarked in the area and swivelled to crash an unstoppable left-footed half-volley past Harper.

However Northampton clawed themselves back level within 60 seconds as Williamson was allowed to advance unchecked from midfield. Niemi got an outstretched right hand to the effort but the power carried the ball into the back of the net.

The Cobblers threatened again five minutes before the break after Josh Low had embarked on a rampaging run down the right wing. But when the cross came it eluded every maroon shirt flooding into the area.

Phillips and Crouch combined to restore Southampton’s advantage, with the former providing the perfect pass for Crouch to run free and nutmeg the exposed Harper.

Northampton wasted little time in taking the fight to their more illustrious opponents as the second half started with the busy Benjamin going close to setting up McGleish, only for Calum Davenport to provide a crucial interception.

Southampton’s riposte was not long in coming though with Delap capitalising as he sprayed a 40-yard crossfield pass from right to left. McCann took delivery and supplied Phillips who, with his back to goal, teed up the on-rushing Delap for a drive which blazed over the bar.

Then, in the 53rd minute, the Saints extended their advantage as Redknapp’s goal capped a sweeping move.

Prutton set the attack in motion before Phillips carried the ball to the byline where he cut back to Redknapp whose right-footed effort beat Harper.

Town threatened to pull one back but Benjamin’s shot was courageously blocked by Davenport and McGleish could only head over in the midst of further confusion inside the Saints’ area.

At the other end, Harper failed to collect a Delap throw into the danger area and although Northampton managed to clear their lines on that occasion, Southampton were soon on the offensive again although this time it was Matt Oakley, on for Redknapp, who was directing operations.

Phillips attempted another half-volley on the turn but on this occasion stout Northampton defending ensured the shot was blocked.

Cobblers boss Colin Calderwood reshuffled his side as Williamson and Tommy Jaszczun were replaced by Charley Hearn and Eric Sabin.

But there was little obvious improvement in the hosts’ fortunes as Southampton continued to dominate.