9 Mar 2012

Spurs into FA Cup quarters

2:52 pm on 9 March 2012

Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 fifth round replay win at home to Stevenage, after they were given another fright by their third tier opponents.

League One Stevenage, who held Spurs, third in the Premier League, to a goalless draw in the original tie, stunned home fans at White Hart Lane by taking a fourth minute lead through Joel Byrom's penalty after he was brought down by New Zealand's Ryan Nelson.

But England striker Jermain Defoe drew Spurs level in the 26th minute when he latched onto Gareth Bale's through ball.

And 10 minutes after half-time Spurs forward Emmanuel Adebayor made it 2-1 with a penalty following a foul on Bale.

Then, with 15 minutes left, Wales star Bale's quick throw found Defoe whose low strike put the result beyond doubt.

Eight-time FA Cup winners Tottenham will be at home to Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers in the quarter-finals.