BORO'S interest in this season's Carling Cup ended as Spurs scored two goals in three minutes deep into the second half, writes GORDON COX from White Hart Lane.   

Egyptian international Shawky made his Boro debut tonight, starting in a squad which included Ben Hutchinson and Graeme Owens for the first time, and Tom Craddock for just the second time. 

Brad Jones was preferred in goal, while Chris Riggott took over form Jonathan Woodgate in the centre of defence.

Boro conceded a free-kick in the first minute of the game when Riggott caught Aaron Lennon on the edge of the penalty area.

Gareth Bale's left-footed curler was charged down and his follow-up attempt was deflected for what proved to be the first of three corners in quick succession.

After riding out an early storm, Boro threatened with their first attack as Paul Robinson had to dive to his right to turn away a low 25-yard shot from Fabio Rochemback following excellent work from Stewart Downing.

A well-weighted through ball from Teemu Tainio sent Jermaine Jenas away when Spurs next pressed but Brad Jones moved quickly off his line to smartly avert the danger.

A greasy surface made for slick passing from both sides, although it was Tottenham who looked the brighter.

With 20 minutes played the dangerous looking Bale again moved swiftly down Boro's right, cut past Luke Young and into the penalty area but fired just wide across the face of goal.

It was Younes Kaboul who was next to threaten, rising high to meet a right-wing cross with Jones producing a great stop as the ball, moving quickly off the wet surface, bounced just in front of him.

Just after Tainio wasted a fine chance, when he hit tamely at Jones, the home side almost took the lead as a shot from Jenas looped up off Riggott and for a moment looked to be dipping over Jones.

But the keeper made a good recovery and chipped the ball onto the bar and Boro scrambled clear.

In the final minute of the first half Boro created a great chance to take the lead as David Wheater won a header inside the penalty area and Riggott got the better of Kaboul but shot just over as Spurs closed ranks.

Half-time: Spurs 0 Boro 0

Gareth Southgate elected to make a change at half-time, replacing Shawky with Craddock and changing formation from 4-1-4-1 to 4-4-2.

Craddock showed up well with his first touches, winning a corner which was as much down to his movement as it was to the pass, which was deflected behind.

A bright start to the second half continued for Boro and Craddock as he first cleared the bar with a difficult chance then won a corner when moving well down the right.

Spurs edged their way back into the game and Jones needed a second chance to grab hold of another on target free-kick from Bale.

Approaching the mid-point of the second half Lennon swung in a deep cross from the right but Defoe went for goal with a diving header and Jones produced an excellent save to turn it round for a corner.

It proved to be the last action for Defoe, as he was replaced by Robbie Keane a couple of minutes later.

The change was made to a chorus of boos from the Tottenham fans, while the player gesticulated to the bench and threw down a tracksuit top before taking his seat.   

But just a couple of minutes later Tottenham took the lead, albeit in controversial fashion, as with 71 minutes played, a low ball behind Boro's back line was played in to Gareth Bale Lennon clearly in an offside position. But Bale was allowed to continue and rounded Jones and from a narrowing angle slid a low shot into the bottom corner.

Boro's bench protested furiously and before play restarted goalkeeper coach Paul Barron was sent to the stands.

Spurs grabbed a second three minutes later as Lennon skipped away down the right and sent over a cross for the unmarked Tom Huddlestone, who had the simple job of heading home from seven yards. 

There were few chances in the closing 15 minutes. Substitute Didier Zakora ought to have done better than to slide wide when clean through, while Wheater went agonisingly close with a header in the final minute. 

Spurs: Robinson; Chimbonda, Kaboul, Tainio, Jenas (Zokora 69), Berbatov, Bale, Defoe (Keane 69), Dawson, Huddlestone, Lennon. Subs: Cerny (gk), Bent, Rocha.   

Boro: Jones, Young (Davies 80), Taylor, Riggott, Wheater, Shawky (Craddock 46), Cattermole, Boateng (Capt.), Rochemback (Owens 75), Lee, Downing. Subs: Schwarzer (gk), Hutchinson. 

Referee: Mr K Stroud, Hampshire

Bookings

Spurs: Dawson, 43, foul.

Boro: Rochemback, 39, ungentlemanly conduct; Cattermole, 82, foul

Conditions: Cold with occasional rain, but still.

Man of the Match: Brad Jones