First-half strikes from Andrew Surman and Gregory Vignal saw Southampton comfortably through to the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Leicester.

Saints dominated at St Mary's, leaving their visitors to reflect on a worrying decline in away form after six winless games on their travels.

Surman opened the scoring after quarter of an hour before Vignal's emphatic free-kick left Ian Holloway's side with a mountain to climb.

Today's meeting marked the second time the clubs have met in this competition in three years, with the Saints snatching a late 1-0 victory at the Walkers Stadium in January 2006.

And although 2003 FA Cup runners-up Southampton had not won in five matches, the Foxes could boast just one win in 10 and found themselves without an away victory since mid-November.

A full-blooded opening saw both sides press, with Matt Fryatt the first to test his luck, only for Darren Powell to make a timely block.

New Foxes signing Steve Howard also saw an early effort pushed aside by goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

But it was Southampton who took the lead in the 16th minute with Surman's first home goal since August. Jason Euell laid the ball off to him on the edge of the penalty area and the midfielder directed a neat left-foot finish across goal and into the bottom right corner.

The goal brought the home side to life and just moments later Youssef Safri attempted to double their advantage with a trademark long-range drive, but this time he hit high and wide.

Howard had a great chance to level after 20 minutes when he connected with Alan Sheehan's inswinging corner but somehow the former Derby man's strike cleared the crossbar.

The chances began to dry up as the half drew on although Saints Polish striker Grzegorz Rasiak saw a right-foot shot from just outside the box fizz wide.

And Southampton did find a second goal 10 minutes before the break. Patrick Kisnorbo brought down Rasiak just outside the area, and Vignal slammed the resulting free-kick hard and low past Paul Henderson and straight into the bottom left corner.

Southampton began the second half with intent and attempted to quickly put the result beyond doubt. Adam Hammill delivered a cross which was met by Euell but the veteran's close-range header flew over the bar.

And Hammill himself squandered a good chance moments later, latching onto Jermaine Wright's ball but heading just wide.

Saints were enjoying a period of sustained pressure and Euell dragged another shot just wide before in-form Bradley Wright-Phillips produced a crucial save from Henderson.

Leicester had to find a way back in and Howard responded, testing Davis on the hour. And the goalkeeper made a tougher save a minute later when Sheehan met Iain Hume's cross and directed on target.

But still Southampton never looked in any real danger and continued to create the lion's share of the opportunities. Hammill again tried his luck but lashed wide with 20 minutes remaining and Wright-Phillips also threatened to grab a third, only to be denied by Henderson.

Leicester were restricted to efforts from long range and Richard Stearman drove wide as City began to face up to their fate.

And even at the death, it was Southampton looking the likelier to score with Rasiak hitting just wide from inside the six-yard box.

Teams:

Southampton Davis, Wright, Thomas, Powell, Vignal, Surman, Euell, Safri, Hammill (McGoldrick 85), Wright-Phillips, Rasiak.

Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Skacel, John, Idiakez.

Booked: Vignal, Safri.

Goals: Surman 16, Vignal 36.

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Sheehan, Kenton (King 46), Fryatt (N'Gotty 46), Wesolowski, Hume, Howard, Hayles.

Subs Not Used: James Chambers, Mattock, Hayes.

Booked: N'Gotty.

Att: 20,094

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).