Southam score six without reply and then concede four

It took an excellent double-save from Tom Cross following a defensive mix-up to stop Littleton taking a seventh-minute lead and, at the other end, Mark Bellingham nearly got a debut goal, twisting and turning past a defender, only for keeper Haydn Whitcombe to save at his feet.

Despite the pouring rain, both sides were playing the match at a fast pace and it paid off for the promotion-chasing visitors as they took a 26th-minute lead through Stuart Hall, who coolly took his time to fire past Cross.

Saints faced an uphill struggle when going two down just a couple of minutes later and it could have been three when Littleton had another great chance from a 39th-minute corner.

Manager Quentin Townsend made two substitutions at half-time but his side found themselves further behind following a low free-kick within three minutes of the restart.

Pawel Tomczak set up Bellingham, but Whitcombe saved smartly low down and Saints were made to pay for their missed chances when Kyonn Evans beat Cross from distance for number four.

On Saturday, a hat-trick from Lee Thomas helped Saints to a convincing 6-0 win over Jaguar Daimler in the second round of the Coventry Charity Cup.

After heavy morning rain, the match had to survive a late pitch inspection but Saints made light of the heavy conditions, putting four goals past the home side in the first 20 minutes to kill off the tie.

They opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Jack Brighton beat his marker and crossed to Louis Bridges, who headed in for his 17th goal of the season.

It was soon two as the home keeper failed to hold a Tunde Ajbade effort and Callum Yeates was on hand to slot home.

Cross had to make a good save to keep Jaguar at bay but Saints got their third in the 17th minute when Ajibade’s cross was picked up by Lee Thomas who shot across the keeper and into the far corner.

Thomas got his second in the 20th minute, firing in a low free-kick that skidded past the keeper and Brad Rees and Ajibade both went close, the latter hitting the side netting from an acute angle.

Any hopes Jaguar had of finding a way back were dashed when Yeates fired in his second in the 59th minute after good work by Bridges and substitute Tomczak.

Bridges sprung the offside trap but went for goal instead of squaring it to the unmarked Tomzcak, who had only to tap in. He made amends with four minutes to go, setting up the sixth and final goal for Thomas, who rounded the keeper and slotted home from an acute angle.

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Highgate United at Banbury Road (3pm) before starting a run of four away matches at Coventry Copsewood on Tuesday evening.