Despite making nine changes as he prioritises Premier League survival, Sunderland manager Gus Poyet saw his side progress to the quarter-finals of the FA cup with a 1-0 victory over Southampton at the Stadium of Light.
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochetttino also made surprising changes to his team but, despite plenty of effort from both sides, a lacklustre first-half of few chances ended goalless.
Craig Gardener broke the deadlock with a screaming long-range effort that ricocheted in off the crossbar to seal victory for the Black Cats.
England international Rickie Lambert missed a glorious chance to equalise late into the second-half but missed an open goal from only a yard away.
From downtown: Sunderland's Craig Gardner (R) unleashes from distance to give Sunderland the lead
Boom! Craig Gardner's strike brought the game to life after a lacklustre first half at the Stadium of Light
Match winner: Craig Gardner salutes the crowd after his goal saw Sunderland through to the quarter-finals
Holding out for a hero: Sunderland players congratulate Craig Gardner (C) after the goal
Match facts
Sunderland: Ustari, Celustka, Dossena( Alonso), O’Shea, Vergini, Cattermole, Larsson, Giaccherini, Gardner (Colback), Scocco (Wickham), Borini.
Subs: Ki, Mannone, Roberge, Mavrias.
Scorer: Gardner 49'
Southampton: K. Davis, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw, Wanyama, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse (Schneiderlin), Lallana (McQueen), Guly (Rodriguez), Lambert.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Fonte, Cork, Chambers, .
Booked: Yoshida, Davis, Rodriguez
Referee: Mike Dean.
Att: 16,777
WAS THIS THE MISS OF THE SEASON?
Rickie Lambert’s chances of boarding the plan to Brazil were dealt a minor blow when the Saints’ striker missed a sitter in the closing stages of the defeat to Sunderland.
The England hopeful found the ball at his feet just a couple of yards out and must have thought that he’d earned the Saints an FA Cup replay.
Unfortunately for the traveling Southampton fans Lambert proceeded to blaze his effort high over the bar meaning that his side crashed out of the FA Cup at the expense of Gustavo Poyet’s men.
Body strength: Saints' Rickie Lambert shields the ball from Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini (L)
Lack of interest: There was a mass of empty seats for the FA fifth round tie at the Stadium of Light
Battle: Southampton's England midfielder Adam Lallana (L) chases Sunderland's Lee Cattermole
Best foot forward: Nathaniel Clyne of Southampton slides a pass away from Sunderland defender Andrea Dossena (R)
Aerial duel: Sunderland striker Fabio Borini competes in the air with Southampton's Luke Shaw
Ref justice! Sunderland manager Gus Poyet reacts to the referee's decision during the first half
Respect: Southampton fans pay tribute to the late Tom Finney with a minute's applause
Up for the cup! A Sunderland fan shows his enthusiasm for the competition ahead of the game
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