Leon Best scored the goal that won last night's first leg, skipping round Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessey after beating him to a 50-50 ball and slotting the ball home. He later had another good strike chalked off by the referee as Saints failed to turn their superiority into more goals.

After going behind the visitors had more of the play leading up to half-time but didn't seriously threaten a Saints defence dominated by skipper Martin Cranie, the England U19 international who featured in the recent FA Cup tie with Manchester United. The home team were creating the better chances and David McGoldrick struck a 25-yarder that thudded against the base of a post.

Craig Richards was inches away from connecting with two inviting crosses and then shot over the top as Saints won a string of corners and free-kicks. The giant Hennessey and his hard-worked defence had troubling dealing with those set-pieces as balls rained in from all angles. But a vital second goal to give Saints a cushion going into the second leg wouldn't come.

There was a close call with 16 minutes to go as Best swept home from Richards' long throw. The referee decided that Tim Sparv was in an offside position and blocking the 'keeper's view. With the ball flying into the opposite corner of ther goal, Saints felt they were hard done by.

The precocious Theo Walcott, a regular on the right wing for England's U17s, was dangerous for Saints early on. Wolves had tried to limit his effectiveness by double-marking him and then the talented youngster turned an ankle and had to be substituted.

Wolves, mid-table in their league, will have to attack more at a Saints side that has already won their division when they meet at Molineux. The pace of Walcott and Nathan Dyer could cause them problems on the counter-attack. But the tie remains nicely poised.

Team Details

Southampton: Andrew McNeil, Craig Richards, Kyle Critchell, Sean Rudd, Martin Cranie (Captain), Lloyd James, Tim Sparv, Theo Walcott, Nathan Dyer, David McGoldrick, Leon Best.
Subs: Ashlee Jones, Sebastian Wallis-Tayler, Feliciano Condesso, Josh Dutton-Black, Adam Lallana.

Wolves: Wayne Hennessey, Mark Little, Conor Rafferty, Jonathon Taylor, Martin Riley, Mark Davies (Captain), Gareth Musso, Stephen Gleeson, Thomas Stewart, Chris Cornes, Lee Collins.
Subs: Jordan Fitzpatrick, Thomas Shepherd, Elliott Bennett, Joshua Ferran, Liam Hughes.

Referee: Mr S Tanner.

Attendance: 5621