After just 14 seconds, Nobbs was wheeling away in celebration after netting the quickest goal of the WSL2 season.

Another yet more impressive effort just before half time doubled the Lasses' lead, although they were given a late scare before second half added time when Tegan McGowan halved the deficit.

Nobbs' third goal of the season, and second against the Saints, put United ahead inside the opening minute.

Oona Sevenius won an initial header from home goalkeeper Fran Stenson's long punt from kick-off, with the ball falling to Molly Pike, who at the first time of asking slipped through United's number four. She calmly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.

It was a chaotic start to the game on the south coast, with the hosts squandering a golden chance to level things up when a ball inside found Atlanta Primus unmarked in the box, but she failed to muster a shot that truly tested Anna Tamminen from 12 yards.

The Saints continued to probe at Newcastle's defence, although they were restricted to efforts outside the area, with Mary Bashford's strike from 20 yards out tipped over the bar by Tamminen.

Following a frantic opening 25 minutes, Newcastle began to gain control of the game and started to catch Southampton out with a high press when Emily Murphy played through Freya Gregory, but the Scotland international's fizzing strike was well saved at Stenson's near post.

With both sides settling into the game as it approached half time, United managed to flick the switch and double their lead when Nobbs got on the scoresheet for the second time in the afternoon.

A neat ball inside from Gregory opened up the space for Nobbs to run forward and play a smart one-two with Murphy, before taking a touch and curling a looping effort out of Stenson's reach.

Both sides lowered the tempo in the second half, with United comfortable in letting the Saints have shots from long range that often failed to hit the target as the heavens opened and soaked the St. Mary's pitch.

Neither side threatened in the opposition's box for the majority of the half. However, the Lasses continued to carry a threat on the counter-attack with the pace of Gregory, Murphy and substitute Beth Lumsden.

With a final throw of the dice, Southampton pushed more players forward to try and pull themselves back into the game. It almost paid off when Primus was picked out at the near post by Ellie Brazil, but a combination of Jemma Purfield and Tamminen denied her a goal.

Despite those valiant efforts a few minutes earlier, United were pegged back just before stoppage time as substitute Tegan McGowan stormed down the left-hand side to slot beneath Tamminen from an acute angle.

Newcastle United Women: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw, Jordan Nobbs (Demi Stokes 87), Jemma Purfield, Molly Pike (Ashanti Akpan 77), Freya Gregory, Kaitlyn Torpey, Oona Sevenius (Beth Lumsden 58), Lois Joel, Aoife Mannion (c), Emily Murphy

Subs not used: Claudia Moan, Shania Hayles, Emilia Larsson