United defender Danny Livesey was an unfortunate last-minute casualty ahead of Johnstone's Paint Trophy final kick off as his hamstring injury flared up and came back to haunt him during the final training session on Saturday morning.

Peter Murphy kept his place at the heart of the defence, with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson drafted into the right of midfield to make his first start since the Yeovil away game in October, and Scott Dobie led the line closely supported by the experienced Graham Kavanagh.

Both teams started the game in a cagey fashion, looking to keep possession on the brand new Wembley surface. The moment of note came after 3 minutes, as a foul by Dobie just inside the United half gave Saints a free-kick. A long ball into the box saw Collin come to claim the ball, only to drop it as he climb over Keogh to reach the ball. Thankfully for the United stopper, Murphy was on hand to boot the ball to safety.

United's first opportunity came after 5 minutes as Kav picked up the ball with his back to goal. His turn and shot took a big deflection though and was easy for Davis to save.

Just a minute later, a foul on Dobie by Jaidi gave United a free-kick on the right-wing. Harte's inswinging cross saw Kav just fail to get on the end of the ball after being held back by Harding, with Davis then claiming the ball at the second attempt after spilling his initial catch.

The Saints took the lead on 15 minutes after being given a penalty for a clear handball by Murphy. Lambert stepped up and put the ball into the back of the net, despite Collin guessing the right way.

Lallana had a couple of chances for the Saints but his close range efforts were saved by Collin before The Blues had their best chance from a corner after a Kavanagh shot was blocked.

Kavanagh took the corner himself, finding Robson on the opposite wing. He clipped a cross back in that found Harte, but his looping header came off the top of the bar and behind for a goal-kick, with Davis well beaten.

That chance sparked United into life as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson had a couple of chance, with his first effort blocked at close range and his second, a dipping left-foot volley, flying just over the bar.

United failed to capitlise on their increased share of possession and were punished by Southampton on 44 minutes, as a long throw from Antonio was flicked on by Lambert, finding Lallana totally unmarked from 4 yards out to head past Collin and double their lead.

HALF-TIME - Carlisle United 0 Southampton 2

United started the second half brightly, with a couple of free-kicks causing problems, but they found themselves further behind thanks to a defensive mix-up.

Lambert broke down the left wing and played in a low cross that Evan Horwood tried to control but he was robbed by Antonio, whose powerful shot was superbly saved by Collin but the United stopped could do nothing about the rebound, as Papa Waigo was able to head into an empty net.

A few minutes later, Clayton had a chance after being played in by Keogh, but the angle was tight and his left-foot shot went into the side netting, with Davis covering his post.

It was nearly four for the Saints on 59 mins as a long free-kick from Harding saw Collin come to claim the ball, only to punch it just wide of his own post, though his blushes were saved as referee Scott Mathieson awarded a free-kick in his favour.

The Saints did get a fourth on 60 minutes, as United failed to clear their lines and Antonio hammered home a left-foot shot that gave Collin no chance in the United goal.

United brought on Joe Anyinsah on 61 minutes and 4 minutes later he almost got one back for United. Keogh's mazy run saw the ball come to Anyinsah 8 yards out, but he scuffed his shot wide.

United finally got some reward from the game on 84 minutes as Harte's free-kick from the left-wing was headed into the back of the net by Madine from 3 yards out.

That spurred The Blues on and they pushed for a second but it wasn't to be and bar a late stop by Adam Collin from a Deam Hammond shot, the action was well and truly over as Saints ran out deserved winners.

Match stats to follow later.

Goals

Saints - Lambert (pen 15), Lallana (44), Papa Waigo (50), Antonio (60)

United - Madine (84)

Bookings

United - Murphy (14), Keogh (45)

Teams

Saints - Davis, Harding, Fonte, Jaidi (Perry 90), Mills, Hammond, Wotton (Connolly 85), Lallana, Antonio, Lambert, Papa Waigo (Gillett 76). Subs (not used) - Bialkowski, James.

United - Collin, Keogh, Murphy, Harte, Horwood, Bridge-Wilkinson (Anyinsah 61), Clayton, Thirlwell (Taiwo 79), Robson, Kavanagh (Madine 73), Dobie. Subs (not used) - Pidgeley, Kane.

United - 20,804