Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez were both on target, as Southampton Under-23s beat their QPR counterparts 5-1 at Staplewood Campus to round off pre-season with another win.

Austin netted twice in the first half, either side of Rodriguez's goal, as Saints overcame an early setback in their final friendly of the summer, with Jake Hesketh adding another two after the break.

Coach Radhi Jaïdi had experienced senior stars Austin and Rodriguez as part of his starting line-up, as they built up their minutes before the start of the Premier League season.

Saints looked well in control during the opening stages, but actually went behind, as QPR’s first attack of the match bore fruit, with Axel Prohouly’s right-wing cross falling to Eberechi Eze, who fired home a left-footed shot in the 7th minute.

The hosts weren’t behind for long, though, as Austin controlled a cross into the area and worked the ball onto his right foot, squeezing a shot past QPR’s keeper at the near post to make it 1-1.

Another player with plenty of first-team experience, Harrison Reed, nearly turned the game completely on its head midway through the half, but his angled drive from Austin’s lay-off flashed just wide.

Rodriguez also sent in a well-struck effort moments later, but QPR’s trialist keeper was equal to it.

That wasn’t the case ten minutes from the interval, however, as Rodriguez was slipped in on the angle and he struck a shot that beat the visitors’ stopper.

It was 3-1 in the 40th minute, as Hesketh played through Austin, who rounded the keeper and slotted home his second of the match.

There were no changes for either side at half-time, with Saints going close to extending their advantage even further ten minutes after the restart, but Reed's 25-yard free-kick was well held by the diving QPR keeper.

The fourth goal did arrive in the 66th minute, as Austin was picked out down the right, subsequently finding Hesketh with an excellent low delivery, and the youngster made no mistake, producing an emphatic side-footed finish.

Rodriguez was then denied moments later, as the QPR keeper made a superb one-handed stop to keep out his effort from 18 yards that was heading for the top corner.

Austin's night ended in the 72nd minute, as he was replaced by Marcus Barnes, while Rodriguez made way for Olufela Olomola shortly afterwards.

Olomola was quickly into the thick of the action, setting up Hesketh for his second of the night with a powerful run and cross, as Saints made it 5-1 with seven minutes left.

For Austin and Rodriguez, they will now hope to be involved in Saturday's season opener against Watford, while next up for the Under-23s is the start of the Premier League 2 campaign, away to Liverpool this Sunday.

Southampton: Harry Lewis, Alfie Jones, Jack Stephens, Jordan Turnbull (Ollie Cook 79), Will Wood, Harrison Reed, Dom Gape, Thomas O’Connor, Jake Hesketh (Josh Sims 86), Jay Rodriguez (Olufela Olomola 79), Charlie Austin (Marcus Barnes 72).

Unused substitutes: Neal Osborn (GK), Yan Valery, Richard Bakary, Harley Willard.

Goals: Austin (14, 40), Rodriguez (35), Hesketh (66, 83).

QPR: Trialist, Christopher Paul (Brandon Comley 52), Niko Hamalainen (Jack Williams 52), Sandro, Jeremy Arthur, Trialist, Axel Prohouly (Dan Darbyshire 52), Daniel Tozser, Trialist, Eberechi Eze (Trialist 52), Ryan Manning (Trialist 52).

Unused substitutes: Marcin Brzozowski (GK).

Goal: Eze (7).