Simon Royce shone, but a technically superior Southampton side cantered to a 3-0 victory against QPR Reserves.

The South Coast side - who have produced such stars at Theo Walcott in the past - were simply too good for Rangers.

There was a welcome return for Royce in the QPR goal, while Egutu Oliseh returned from injury to line up in midfield.

The visitors included star full-back Gareth Bale in their starting XI, while first team regular Martin Cranie also featured.

A brace from David McGoldrick gave Southampton a 2-0 lead at half time.

The impressive front-man latched on to a neat through ball from Mario Licka to put the Saints one up inside the opening three minutes.

Having evaded the last line of the R's defence, the pacy McGoldrick sent Royce the wrong way with a neat 12-yard finish.

Rangers threatened sporadically, with Scott Donnelly seeing his 25-yard free-kick sail inches wide of Bartosz Bialkowski's right hand post in the 12th minute, while Ricky Sappleton shot tamely at the Saints custodian.

But it was Southampton who deservedly bagged the next goal of the contest on 20 minutes, courtesy of that man McGoldrick.

Feliciano Condesso provided the assist from the right touchline and McGoldrick sent Royce the wrong way with a deft downward header.

Despite conceding twice in the opening stages, Royce was by far Rangers' best player of the half, saving superbly on three separate occasions to prevent the visitors from running away with things.

Steve Lomas' deflected effort on the stroke of half time forced a good save out of Bialkowski, but in truth, Southampton were worthy of their two goal cushion at the break.

Rangers improved in the second half, but were always chasing shadows against a Southampton side who played with such style and finesse.

Midfield terrier Lomas came closest to breaking the deadlock for the R's on 50 minutes, but yet again Bialkowski was in the right place, at the right time, tipping his effort to safety.

Condesso struck the top of the woodwork for the Saints on 71 minutes, before Lloyd James put the result beyond any doubt five minutes from time with an unstoppable 30-yard strike past Royce.

The otherwise outstanding Royce deserved better than the 3-0 final scoreline, leaving John Gregory with a selection headache in the goalkeeping department ahead of Saturday's visit to St Mary's.

QPR Reserves: Royce, Yelland (Watanabe 81), Hislop, Munday, Milanese, Oliseh (Goode 81), Tchakounte, Lomas (O'Connell 56), Donnelly, Sappleton, Baidoo.

Subs: Cole.

Southampton Reserves: Bialkowski, James, Bale, Licka, Critchell, Cranie, Condesso (Baseya 79), Lallana, McGoldrick, Sarmiento (Dutton-Black 61), Sparv (Lancashre 84).

Subs:  Miller.