John Gorman admitted Southampton were made to toil by League Two Bury after a 2-0 victory saw Saints through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.Andrew Surman and Grzegorz Rasiak struck in the second half to ensure life after George Burley did not begin with an embarrassing exit to a side lying 88th in the Football League.

"Bury were tremendous, they worked hard, they broke very well and they were unfortunate, it was our day," said Gorman, who is in charge of Saints on a caretaker basis alongside Jason Dodd.

"That's the cup. It brings out the best in teams, which is what I said to them when we saw the Havant half-time score and we were 0-0. It wasn't pretty."

Surman struck 20 minutes from the end of a fourth-round tie which, for long periods, looked like becoming another entry in this season's catalogue of giant-killings.

The England Under-21 midfielder's 20-yard drive was deflected off Bury captain Paul Scott and past wrong-footed keeper Jim Provett.

Bury could have already been two goals ahead, however, after Richie Baker was denied first by the upright and then a fine save from Kelvin Davis, both inside the first 10 minutes.

And 13-goal striker Andy Bishop thumped a header against the crossbar moments after Surman broke the deadlock.

Rasiak bundled home the decisive second in the 80th minute after the unlucky Provett saved his penalty and the rebound, to see Saints through.

Burley appeared to have made an astute decision in upping sticks and leaving the south coast for the Scotland job if Saints' disjointed display was anything to go by.

Glenn Hoddle, Chris Coleman and Micky Adams have all been linked with the vacancy, and Gorman added: "It's nothing to do with me.

"I'm just going to do the best I can, with Jason, while we are here.

"It's something I'm used to. I wanted to win today but I won't get the job - unless something happens and we go five games unbeaten.

"There was pressure on me and Jason today, it was a big game. Money is tight and we wanted to stay in the cup.

"But the manager and coaching staff of Bury can be very proud."

Chris Brass took the tally of caretaker bosses on the touchline to three, and he was left to rue what might have been from a hugely-encouraging display from his team.

"You want to give a performance when you come on a stage like this, and we did," said Brass, who still turns out as a full-back for non-league Hyde.

"You don't want to get hit for five, six, or seven, which Southampton are capable of doing.

"We had a free-kick which came off the post and Kelvin Davis made a great save from Richie Baker. And Bishop had a good chance which could have set the nerves in.

"But goals change games and sadly it didn't go in."

When asked if he wanted the full-time role at Gigg Lane, Brass added: "I'll be part of helping take Bury forward."

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