LONDON (AFP) - Bristol Rovers striker Rickie Lambert gave himself an extra special 26th birthday present as he sent the League One club into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 50 years as his deflected free-kick clinched a 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday.

Lambert's low shot with six minutes to play took a hefty deflection off Jermaine Wright before looping into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations at the Memorial Stadium as 'The Pirates' FA Cup dream continued.

Paul Trollope's side, 13th in English football's third tier, had already claimed one significant scalp in the Cup this season after knocking out Premier League team Fulham on penalties in the third round.

They were deserved fifth round winners against Championship outfit Southampton after dominating much of a tense tie.

Rovers captain Stuart Campbell set the tone with a dipping volley from the edge of the area which skimmed wide of the far post.

Southampton were unable to find any momentum and Lambert flicked on Aaron Lescott's throw to Craig Disley, whose volley was narrowly off-target.

Andy Williams went close when he seized on a mistake by Andrew Davies, only for Saints keeper Kelvin Davies to save well.

Williams's strike partner Lambert had the ball in the net with a looping header in the 70th minute but his effort was ruled out for a foul.

But Lambert was still able to finish as the hero. He had already scored 14 goals this season, with five coming in the FA Cup, so it was no surprise to see him drive in the winner via Wright's out-stretched boot after 84 minutes.