The outcome may have been familiar, but the circumstances could hardly have provided a greater contrast.

For the fifth successive season, Shrewsbury Town’s FA Cup adventure ended at the first round stage.

But if the last two years have provided the bitter humiliations of Blyth Spartans and Staines, then 727 Shrewsbury supporters would have made the long journey back from St Mary’s to Shropshire on Saturday night with a burning sense of pride.

And that provided at least some consolation for what proved a gut-wrenching conclusion.

The king of all knockout competitions has produced some of football’s most enduring images and memories over its rich history.

But it equally has the capacity to provide some cruel twists in the tale.

Alas, Saturday will be remembered for the latter.

For 90 minutes, Town had successfully nullified the threat of a Southampton side who, despite entering choppy waters in recent seasons, ply their trade at a level higher than Graham Turner’s men.

Through a combination of an outstanding work ethic, organisation and discipline, the visitors had done enough – more than enough in fact – to earn a second bite of this particular cherry at the Greenhous Meadow next Tuesday.

But just when thoughts were beginning to turn to a replay, Southampton enjoyed the type of break which can often determine an FA Cup result.

Dan Harding’s deflected shot in the second minute of injury time was expertly kept out by Chris Neal.

The rebound, however, fell invitingly for David Connolly and, while the substitute’s connection was far from clean, the ball hammered into the ground, looping into the net and giving Neal no chance.

If that was incredibly rough justice on Shrewsbury, then the second goal – a classy curling finish from wing talent Adam Lallana moments later – further flattered the home side.

It is fair to assume that if Town hadn’t been left deflated by conceding the opener, Lallana’s follow-up wouldn’t have materialised.

But that Shrewsbury were left with nothing to show for their efforts was a bitter pill to swallow.

For while Southampton had the bulk of the possession, their sightings of goals were few and far between.

The hosts’ only genuine first half chance worthy of mention came from Guly Do Prado, who saw a goalbound header cleared near the line by Kevin McIntyre.

The Shrewsbury goal was barely threatened more after half-time, Do Prado forcing one smart save from Neal and Sean McAllister mopping up the danger after a break from midfielder Richard Chaplow.

Indeed, the late double blow came long after Southampton had seemingly run short of ideas, and Town can take heart from the manner in which they restricted a side who have burst into the League One play-off places on the back off scoring 11 goals in the last four games.

At the other end Turner’s men kept the ball with composure at times, without ever getting into full flow as an attacking force.

Against opponents from a higher level, that was understandable, but Town could still point to a 15-minute spell just before half-time in which they carved open some of the game’s clearest openings.

Twice Dean Holden went close – drilling in a 20-yard shot which forced a fine save from Kelvin Davis before the resulting corner saw the right-back’s header cleared on the line by a combination of Southampton goalkeeper and winger Alex Chamberelain.

And Mark Wright, fresh from his heroics at Crewe, was also unfortunate to see Davis tip over a 25-yard rasping effort.

But the fates were smiling on Southampton and Shrewsbury were left to contemplate an undeserved defeat.

Their FA Cup dreams may be over but this was a performance which bodes well for the League schedule ahead.

Match analysis by JAMES GARRISON