James Bree's late strike gave Southampton a much-needed victory
James Bree scored an 88th-minute winner as Southampton edged past Championship side Stoke City to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Bree struck a shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner after latching on to Kamaldeen Sulemana's pass.
The Saints had opened up a two-goal lead in the first half when Taylor Harwood-Bellis rose highest in the box to head home from Matheus Fernandes' corner and Adam Armstrong converted a penalty after Jaden Dixon caught Yukinari Sugawara in the box.
Stoke pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when left-back Eric Bocat's free-kick bounced off Sugawara into the path of Ashley Phillips who scored his first senior goal with a brilliant backheel finish.
Junior Tchamadeu's cross was deflected into the path of Tom Cannon who fired into the top corner with a first-time finish at the far post to level the scoring nine minutes after the break.
Substitute Million Manhoef was close to bundling the ball across the line to give Stoke a late lead but Sugawara slid in on the line to produce a vital interception.
Minutes later, Bree was the hero for Russell Martin's Saints as they avoided a penalty shootout and progressed to the next round.
Saints boss Martin watched on from high up in the stands due to a touchline ban for accumulating three yellow cards this season as his side dominated the game with 77% possession.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Martin said: "It should have been easier than what it was, we were so dominant in the first half and should have gone in 2-0 up so I'm a bit annoyed at that.
"By the time I left the stands we were 2-0 up and it was 2-1 by the time I got down so I was annoyed and frustrated.
"We won I'm happy, of course we can improve and there is a lot to build on. We had a really good performance in a lot of parts tonight and we won."
It is the first time Southampton have won in any competition since they beat Everton 6-5 on penalties in the third round last month. They will find out their next opponents when the quarter-final draw takes place on Wednesday.
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