FA CUP: Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

James produced marvellous saves against bitter rivals Southampton to deny Papa Waigo N'Diaye, Wayne Thomas and Adam Lallana to keep the scores level at St Mary's before Pompey pulled away in the latter stages to win by a somewhat flattering scoreline

The result booked a place in the quarter-finals but the big question is whether Pompey will still be in existence by then as they will be back in the High Court fighting a winding-up petition from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on March 1.

James said: "I think it's too important for too many people, for football even, that a top-flight club can go out of existence.

"It's not going to be easy and whoever it is who helps us out we'll thank them now, but it's important we stay in business and important Portsmouth keep flying the flag in the Premier League for Hampshire."

James's performance was excellent news for Fabio Capello. The England manager has seen Ashley Cole suffer a long-term injury last week but another possible problem area, that of goalkeeper, looks simpler this week, with James looking close to his best form. The 39-year-old has suffered fitness problems this season and has often sat out training sessions after matches but in the last week he has played three times.

His saves against Southampton meant Pompey stayed on level terms, then the turning point was Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, the forward on loan from Spartak Moscow, coming off the bench and opening the scoring.

Rickie Lambert levelled for the hosts but Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara wrapped up the win.

"Hopefully we won't get Tottenham in the final because I wouldn't be able to play," said optimistic O'Hara, who is on loan from White Hart Lane.

"We had to give something back to the fans because it's been a bit of a dire season for us. The fans have been fantastic all season and it's good to give something back."

Saints boss Alan Pardew will take encouragement from his side's performance up until Pompey pulled away.

He will be looking to take confidence into their League One campaign as they look to overcome the blow of a points deduction for going into administration.

Southampton: Davis, Thomas, Perry (Holmes 83), Jaidi, Harding, Antonio, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Papa Waigo (Barnard 72). Unused substitutes: Bialkowski, Gillett, Wotton, Mills, James.

Portsmouth: James, Mullins, Hreidarsson (Hughes 90), Wilson, Belhadj, Basinas (Owusu-Abeyie 58), Diop, O'Hara, Yebda, Utaka (Piquionne 72), Dindane. Unused substitutes: Ashdown, Webber, Tosic, Kanu.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).