Much like their namesake Neil, Adam Armstrong and Stuart Armstrong are exploiting space out wide time and again.

At the moment the approach play is on point but the final touch is what's missing.

Russell Martin is clearly wanting more from his side here...

Preston's Mads Frokjaer has dashed to the sidelines to switch his fluorescent green boots for some fetching yellow ones.

Will this spark a monumental turnaround for the visitors with half an hour and change to play?

Che Adams wants this match ball tonight, make no mistake.

This time he's crept past the last defender to meet a low cross from the left, the flag goes up just as Freddie Woodman gets a big boot to divert his shot around the upright.

This is the longest Preston have gone without conceding all night and they are trying their best to push Saints back into their own half.

The risk to that, though, is that Saints are scary on the break too...

Image source, Getty Images

Russell Martin has popped a jumper on at the interval. I know the sun was out on the south coast earlier but it's still April and the t-shirt he had on earlier did not look substantial enough.

Low key start to the second half, perhaps understandably. Saints and their fans will think the job has been done... Che Adams is crowded out as he tries to spin and shoot after a cut-back from Armstrong while Jan Bednarek fizzes an effort from 25 yards past the base of the post from the resulting corner.

Emil Riis has been withdrawn by Ryan Lowe, with top-scorer Will Keane coming on to replace him.

Saints have also made a switch with Shea Charles replacing Flynn Downes at the break.

What impact will they have?

Russell Martin probably didn't want the first half to end, but he's had 15 minutes with his players. What will they do in these next 45?

Ryan Lowe might have wanted a little longer than 15 minutes to sort things out for Preston.

Off we go again...

Chris: So it looks like that three horse race for the Championship everyone has been going on about is actually a four horse race! Southampton do have to go to both Leeds and Leicester... but the form guide suggests the Saints may very well go marching in!

David: An Ipswich v Norwich play-off final would be absolutely epic! Looks more possible tonight.

Joe in Bromley: It's funny what happens when Saints start a goalkeeper that none of the players trust so have to pass the ball forward instead of backwards!

3-0 up after 33 minutes is a bit of a statement for Southampton, and it's certainly enhanced their standing in the promotion race.

In the live table they have moved within three points of Leeds, with a game in hand, and a trip to Elland Road to come on 4 May.

Second placed Leicester - who that game in hand is against - are a further point ahead in second, while leaders Ipswich have a five point cushion, though having played a game more than Saints.

After that flurry, Saints' goal difference is now just two worse than the Tractor Boys, who knows how crucial that might become when all is said and done too?

There might be just one Championship game this evening, but there are a host of absolutely huge games with promotion and relegation permutations under way in Leagues One and Two this evening.

Click here to check out the latest news from the sides vying to try and get out of the third tier and those who are desperate to get into it too.

Jon in Eastleigh: Those upcoming Saints games against faltering Leicester and Leeds sides are starting to look pretty interesting…

Anon: Gutted! Sat at home ill when I should be at St Mary's watching this fantastic display. Looks like I will have to miss the remaining games too. Not that I'm superstitious at all... Come on Saints!

Anon: How Adam Armstrong isn't in the Championship team of the season is just criminal, he's been brilliant all season along with [Flynn] Downes.

Steve Eyre
Co-commentator on BBC Radio Lancashire

I don't understand why Preston are defending on the penalty line when they can't defend when Southampton get there. You've got to have a fight, you've got to have a scrap. It wouldn't be so bad if Preston were having a scrap but they aren't doing that either.

The end of a very one-sided first-half.

Southampton have been on it from minute one and Preston, a very tidy team on their travels, have simply not been able to live with them.

Make no mistake, on this form Saints are very much alive in the race for promotion.

Preston will wish it was three seconds...

Che Adams so close to completing his hat-trick, ghosting in behind the defence to try to latch onto a teasing cross but can't quite get the connection to flick past Freddie Woodman who was racing off his line.

Steve Eyre
Co-commentator on BBC Radio Lancashire

It seemed obvious to me that Duane Holmes would be substituted. There's always got to be a fall guy when something as poor as this is being served up and I think this substitution is a statement from Ryan Lowe.

Southampton, unfortunately, look like they can do whatever they want. I'm glad it's only 3-0.

You have to feel for Duane Holmes, he's been hauled off by Ryan Lowe. It's almost merciful but also prompted by the intention of keeping 11 on the field, you'd expect.

Greg Cunningham replaces him. Best of luck, Greg.

Jack Whatmough is the latest Preston defender to panic but Stuart Armstrong has a drive blocked by Liam Lindsay and then comes even closer a moment later with a fine low shot from 20 yards which beats Freddie Woodman to his right but thuds the inside of the post and rolls across the goalline and away.

Saints are irrestisible in this form.

Stuart Armstrong's curling effort is too close to Freddie Woodman at his far post and the keeper is able to gather.

Preston have kept four clean sheets in five away games, don't forget. They are one of the division's best travellers in terms of keeping it tight.

Not so tonight, clearly...

Duane Holmes wishes he was at home with a good book, I reckon.

He's brought down the marauding Ryan Manning on the very edge of the Preston box and Saints have a dangerous set-piece.

Holmes has already been booked and just teed-up Stuart Armstrong for the third goal, remember.