Striker Adams claimed a classy first-half double - which took him past 100 league goals - before Scotland teammate Stuart Armstrong crashed in a third on Wednesday (AEST).

After three defeats in four matches in February, the Saints thought they would be consigned to the play-offs but three wins in a row, along with Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Leicester City's stumbles, have them four points outside the top two with a game in hand on all but Leicester.

After a couple of close shaves, Adams reached his ton of goals with a 19th minute tap-in. The Scotland international made a smart run in the middle to put himself on the end of Adam Armstrong's low centre.

Ten minutes later and the hosts had doubled their lead after a gorgeous free-flowing move which ended with Adams coolly slotting into the bottom corner following a pass from David Brooks.

Freddie Woodman's high position twice gave his colleagues a heart-in-mouth moment as Adam Armstrong and Adams both took aim with lobs from 35 yards - both ending up on the roof of the goal.

Southampton grabbed their third in the 33rd minute, when Duane Holmes' abject attempt at a clearance fell to Stuart Armstrong to stroke into a largely unguarded net.

Armstrong struck the base of a post but the Saints would not have been too worried against a Preston side who have not scored a second-half goal on the road in 2024.

Adams had a number of chances to claim the match ball in the second half, none more so than in the 67th minute when he duped a defender with his run, pulled a lofted through-ball down and was only foiled by the onrushing Woodman's face.

Woodman also saved a rasping effort from Brooks as Southampton eased off with the three points secured.

Australian Associated Press