Bournemouth captain Jason Pearce is not surprised to see Eddie Howe linked with the manager’s job at Southampton.

Howe, 32, is believed to be on Saints’ shortlist as they hunt for a successor to Alan Pardew following his shock sacking last week.

But Pearce told the Bournemouth Echo: “It’s no surprise because he’s a really good manager and we’ve got a great team.

“Hopefully, we’re showing what a good team we are and he’s showing what a good manager he is.

“He’s come in, brought in different ideas and he’s got a great team ethic, and I think that shows on the pitch.

“He’s been great since he’s been in charge and, hopefully, it will carry on. Hopefully, he will stay so we can progress and move on.”

St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes claimed his side’s extra quality saw them through a tricky Co-op Cup second-round tie against Morton.

Scott Dobie, making his first start for Saints, gave the home side the interval lead with a header after 22 minutes and 10 minutes from the end Murray Davidson sealed the Scottish Premier League side’s passage through to the next round.

McInnes was pleased with the way his players prevented any real possibility of a cup upset.

“I’m happy to be through into the next round,” the former Morton midfielder said.

“We knew how difficult it was going to be against Morton, who are a good First Division side.

“Morton put us under pressure at times but our players showed a good attitude throughout.

“We defended well when we had to, controlled the game and the quality we had came through and got us the goals.

“So it’s good to get through because we want to go as far as we can in this competition.

“We’ve been in a few semi finals of cup competitions in recent years and we want to do that again and more.”

Morton boss Allan Moore watched his side put up a sterling effort only to fall short.

“I am delighted with the performance but disappointed to go out of the cup,” the former St Johnstone winger said.

“St Johnstone scored against the run of play and then the game opened up and when they got the second goal, it killed it.

“But we put on a good show and played some good football.

“We lacked a cutting edge and our final ball in to the box was poor although the St Johnstone keeper had a couple of good saves to make.”

Darren Mackie came off the bench to ensure Aberdeen built on their opening-day success over Hamilton with a 1-0 SPL win at hosts St Johnstone.

The match appeared to be heading for a disappointing stalemate, until Mackie’s goal only five minutes from time.

In a Scottish Premier League encounter of few goalscoring opportunities, Mackie’s solitary strike was enough to give the Dons back-to-back victories after their headline-grabbing 4-0 hammering of Hamilton seven days earlier – and sent them top of the table.

Andrew Considine had the ball in the net in the first half for the Pittodrie outfit only for referee Steven McLean to rule his header out for a foul and the home side were left to rue Kevin Rutkiewicz’s costly first-half miss.

St Johnstone’s on-loan West Brom striker Marcus Haber scampered clear down the left to create the game’s first opening but Dons defender Zander Diamond produced a magnificent block on his cross with Sam Parkin poised to pounce.

With the game slowly sparking to life, Saints should have taken the lead in the 17th minute.

Aberdeen goalkeeper Mark Howard failed to hold a high ball in a crowded goalmouth and, when the ball was shuttled back into the danger area, Rutkiewicz screwed his shot wide when the ball fell kindly to him barely six yards out.

Aberdeen finally put pressure on new Saints goalkeeper Peter Enckelman in the 33rd minute but could not find the breakthrough the game needed.

Chris Maguire turned Liam Craig on the flank but saw Michael Duberry clear his low cross from almost under his own crossbar and then Enckelman grabbed the Dons striker’s tame left-foot shot.

Craig sustained a hamstring injury in the move and was replaced by Danny Grainger, who had himself been injured a week previously against Hearts.

Two minutes later the visitors had the ball in the net as Considine headed in Paul Hartley’s whipped free-kick delivery but referee McLean controversially ruled the strike out for a foul in a busy penalty box.

In first-half injury time, it was St Johnstone’s turn to come close as Howard tipped away Parkin’s header from Grainger’s long throw.

In a low-key opening to the second period it was Grainger’s ability to send in long throw-ins that again carved out an opportunity for St Johnstone in the 52nd minute.

The former Dundee United full-back’s delivery reached the middle of the area but the soaring Murray Davidson could not direct his header on target.

Aberdeen forward Peter Pawlett curled a shot past Enckelman’s left-hand post four minutes later before another moment of controversy in the home box.

Rutkiewicz appeared to obstruct Maguire and send him stumbling towards goal as he raced clear of the Saints rearguard but McLean ignored claims for a penalty and awarded a corner instead.

Both sides made double substitutions in forward areas, with Mackie and Scott Vernon being introduced for Aberdeen and Collin Samuel and Scott Dobie coming on for St Johnstone and it proved an inspired move for McGhee as Mackie earned his side three points.

Sone Aluko drove over from 25 yards with five minutes remaining before setting up the winner seconds later.

The winger blocked Maybury’s clearance and kept the ball in play on the left touchline before finding Mackie in the box and the replacement’s first-time shot appeared to take a deflection on its way into Enckelman’s bottom left-hand corner.

A memorial service to honour Markus Liebherr will be held in Southampton this Wednesday August 18.

The Saints chairman died last week at the age of 62, leading to the postponement of Saturday’s League One encounter against MK Dons.

The service of thanksgiving will be held at St Mary’s Church, starting at 11.30am, with admittance inside by invitation only.

However, while acknowledging that many Saints fans will wish to pay their respects, supporters are invited to gather in the grounds of the church where the service will be broadcast over a public address system.

Car parking will be available at St Mary’s Stadium for those attending although the ground itself will be closed on the day as a mark of respect.

A book of condolence has been opened inside the stadium since Friday and will close at 5pm this Friday.

Southampton’s League One fixture against MK Dons at stadium:mk on Saturday has been postponed following the death of chairman Markus Liebherr.

The German-born businessman died at the age of 62 and the Saints have thanked MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and the Football League for agreeing to call off the game.

A book of condolence will be available at Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium, while a memorial has already been created outside reception at the ground.

Winkelman told mkdons.com: “Having recently lost my own father I can understand just what a difficult time this is for all concerned.

“On behalf of the board of directors, the manager, the players, staff and supporters of our club, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to Mr Liebherr’s family, friends and everyone associated with Southampton Football Club.”