Late goals from Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone earned victory for Tottenham Hotspur in their Carling Cup third-round clash against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
Spurs played 21 cup games last season and, with boss Martin Jol under intense pressure following a dismal start to the season, the hunt for silverware is at least giving his side the chance to build momentum.
Two of their three victories this season have come in cup competitions - but getting out of the bottom three of the Premier League is the immediate priority.
The win was still welcomed by Jol. Bale rounded goalkeeper Brad Jones for the opener with 18 minutes remaining and Huddlestone headed in the second three minutes later.
Jones had frustrated Spurs with a polished performance, while Boro threatened from set-pieces, and in the end it was the substitution of Robbie Keane coming on for Jermain Defoe that proved the decisive moment.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate had a host of first-team players out injured, notably Jonathan Woodgate with a groin problem and former Spurs striker Mido with a hamstring injury.
It meant the visitors were on the back foot for long periods, looking to break when possible and look for lone-striker Lee Dong-Gook.
Spurs skipper Paul Robinson was tested early on by Fabio Rochemback's long-range drive and Chris Riggott wasted a glorious chance at the end of the first half when he volleyed over, but the rest of the opening period saw the hosts push forward and apply pressure.
Defoe had been left out of the squad altogether for the Bolton clash in the Premier League at the weekend, but he made a lively comeback to the starting XI and led the attack.
The England striker earned a free-kick which Bale had deflected just wide after his initial effort cannoned off the defensive wall.
He was in the action again, in the ninth minute, lofting the ball through but Jermaine Jenas sliced his shot as he raced through on goal.
Defoe came close himself when Teemu Tainio slipped him through but Jones rushed out and blocked bravely with his face.
Tainio was found in an even better position when Defoe raced down the right flank and stood the ball up, but Jones did not have to move when the header came in.
Boro keeper Jones, in the side instead of Mark Schwarzer, kept the scores level when Younes Kaboul flicked on Bale's free-kick, and he also tipped a Defoe header onto the bar before the break after Tainio's effort deflected into the striker's path.
Last season's league clash at White Hart Lane ended in a mass brawl, and there was an element of needle towards the end of the first half.
Rochemback was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he kicked out at Huddlestone after getting fouled, while Michael Dawson got a card for tripping Stewart Downing. Riggott's chance came from the resulting free-kick, with the defender volleying over after Spurs failed to clear the set-piece.
Spurs have looked suspect from dead-ball situations all season and they were shaky again after the break when Tom Craddock, a half-time substitute, was found unmarked from a corner but could not direct an effort on goal.
At the other end, Jones saved from a Bale free-kick after Jenas was fouled by Andrew Taylor 25 yards out, then David Wheater had to time a challenge on Aaron Lennon to perfection when the winger took the ball into the penalty area.
Defoe tested Jones again, with a diving header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross, before being withdrawn with jeers ringing around White Hart Lane.
Defoe looked angry at being taken off but the substitution was the catalyst for Spurs' late goals.
Keane, brought on for Defoe, sent Bale through and the left-back rounded Jones and squeezed home his finish from a tight angle.
Southgate was furious as Lennon appeared to be in an offside position when Bale was sent through, and the protests led to one of Boro's backroom staff being sent to the dressing room.
The second goal came when Lennon cut inside Rochemback and found found Huddlestone, who tucked away his header.
