CREWE came to close to pulling off an amazing comeback as they gave Southampton the fright of their FA Cup lives. The premier division team looked comfortable when they went three up inside 26 minutes, but the second division side stormed back in the second half.

Goals from Neil Shipperley, Richard Hall and Jason Dodd were no more than Southampton deserved and they looked to have turned the rest of the match into an anti-climax. But that was counting without the spirit of Dario Gradi's side who drew hope and inspiration from Rob Edwards' 53rd-minute header.

Southampton still had their chances, but it was now a different game and former Manchester United defender Ashley Westwood raised the temperature another notch when he hit Crewe's second to set up a grandstand finish.

They came as close as they could - Dele Adehola heading Neil Lennon's cross against the post with Dave Beasant beaten, and then he saw his injury-time header cleared off the line by Simon Charlton. Even then they were not finished, as they camped in Southampton's box with Hall appearing to handle as referee Paul Alcock blew for full-time.

However, the had "left themselves too much of a mountain to climb and Southampton just held on to claim a fifth round trip to Swindon on Saturday.