Spurs survive scare to progress to quarterfinals

Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 fifth-round replay win at home to Stevenage last night 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 quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal draw: Liverpool vs Stoke; Chelsea vs Leicester; Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers; Everton vs Sunderland. Ties to be played on the weekend of March 17-18.