Spurs held at Stevenage (From Haringey Independent)

League One Stevenage hold Tottenham Hotspur in FA Cup fifth round

5:40pm Sunday 19th February 2012 in Sport

Tottenham were held to a goalless draw by League One side Stevenage in their FA Cup fifth round tie, leaving the pair to replay at White Hart Lane.

Louis Saha looked to have given Harry Redknapp’s men a route into the quarter finals but his effort was ruled out after the ball struck Scott Parker, meaning the assistant referee raised the offside flag.

Michael Dawson saw a first-half header cleared off the line but the hosts' determination was rewarded, and the sides will now meet again.

Redknapp made use of a three-man central defensive partnership, with Dawson being joined by Younes Kaboul and deadline day capture Ryan Nelsen, but it was going forward where Spurs struggled.

The interval was approaching before the visitors looked likely to score, with Saha dragging a shot wide while Dawson was denied by Michael Bostwick on the line.

Stevenage showed their attacking prowess though as Bostwick’s effort was blocked by Parker before the break.

The Lilywhites looked to find the decisive strike early in the second period as Gareth Bale brought a save out of Chris Day before Saha thought he had given them the lead, only for the official’s flag to deny the Frenchman.

Joel Byrom gave Carlo Cudicini a nervous moment after that with the Italian relieved to see the effort miss the target, but Borough were able to comfortably see out time and claim a deserved replay.