Carling Cup : Tottenham 3 Port Vale 1

Tom Huddlestone proved the difference as Tottenham came from behind to grab an extra-time win to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup at Port Vale's expense.

The League One side had scented an upset when Leon Constantine scored after 63 minutes, but Spurs were level in the fourth-round tie when Huddlestone's free-kick appeared to be glanced in off the Vale striker.

England Under-21 midfielder Huddlestone then drove home eight minutes into extra-time, and Jermain Defoe settled the fourth-round tie when he slid in for a third.

The result was particularly harsh on goalkeeper Mark Goodlad, who had denied the Premiership side with a number of fine saves as Vale impressed against Martin Jol's team at White Hart Lane.

Vale had knocked out Norwich, QPR and Preston in previous rounds and looked comfortable with the pace of the game in the early exchanges as they looked to replicate the famous 1988 FA Cup upset against the same opposition.

Spurs' pacy young striker Andy Barcham, one of the radical changes the hosts made to their line-up, got behind the Vale defence in the opening two minutes but was forced wide, and the visitors then created problems of their own.

Vale had the first shot on goal when Danny Sonner was off-target with a long-range effort, while Jeff Smith hit the side netting from the edge of the area after the ball broke to him in the 11th minute.

The early warning stirred Spurs into a spell of attacking - Young-Pyo Lee forced Goodlad into a save at his near post from a short corner - but the League One side continued with their positive approach.

French midfielder Steed Malbranque, who was making his Tottenham debut after recovering from a hernia operation, carelessly lost the ball with a cross-field pass after 20 minutes to set up Vale's next attack.

The visitors worked the ball to Smith, who found Constantine in the area before Michael Dawson and Dorian Dervite did enough to put the striker off.

Defoe, who had been overlooked recently in favour of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, almost broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. The England striker picked the ball up on the halfway line before gliding past Sonner and attempting to chip Goodlad from 30 yards, with the goalkeeper getting back to tip the ball around the post.

Opportunities were then limited to long-range efforts - Paul Harsley and Huddlestone exchanged efforts for each side - before Spurs started to assert themselves towards the end of the first half.

Firstly, Goodlad tipped over after Phil Ifil's cross almost dipped under the bar.

Colin Miles was then booked for a foul on Malbranque, and George Abbey made a last-ditch tackle to deny Danny Murphy from the resulting free-kick.

Goodlad had to save from Defoe at his near post after the England striker danced inside from the left and unleashed a powerful drive, with Spurs finishing the first half impressively.

Edgar Davids had an effort early in the second half fly wide from the edge of the area, while Richard Walker was booked for a clash on the touchline.

Constantine had an overhead kick drift wide to underline the visitors' threat, and home fans called for Aaron Lennon's introduction off the bench.

Defoe had another effort on goal, after 56 minutes, and was even closer to breaking the deadlock. Goodlad was forced to tip around the post at full stretch as Defoe drove to cap a sweeping move.

Lennon was brought on with 28 minutes left, replacing Malbranque, but Vale were ahead with their next attack.

Constantine prodded home from close range after Spurs had failed to clear and Akpo Sodje headed the ball back into the danger area. It was his 11th of the season.

Spurs responded by taking Barcham off for Dimitar Berbatov in the 65th minute.

Danny Whitaker forced a save from Spurs goalkeeper Radek Cerny, while Berbatov tested Goodlad at the other end.

Goodlad had to be at his best to deny Defoe after another dangerous run, with Vale scenting an upset.

Defoe went wide with 13 minutes remaining, but Spurs were level moments later as Huddlestone's free-kick from the left flank drifted in as Dervite and Constantine tussled. Huddlestone claimed the goal although it may have come off the Vale player.

Goodlad tipped over from Berbatov, but he had no answer to Huddlestone's drive eight minutes into extra-time.

Davids' cross broke to Berbatov who laid the ball back to Huddlestone 25 yards out, whose drive flew in off a Sonner deflection.

Defoe's goal came in the second period of extra-time when he slid in to meet Ifil's cross, adding gloss to the scoreline.