Leeds 1 Tottenham 3

 Jermain Defoe struck a hat-trick to end Leeds United’s FA Cup adventure in a supercharged FA Cup fourth-round replay at Elland Road.

Luciano Becchio ended his goal famine with a first-half equaliser, goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was magnificent and Leeds again took immense credit for a fully committed performance but Spurs simply carried too many aces.

The Londoners now visit Bolton in the fifth round on Sunday, February 14.

United were still without injured pair Neil Kilkenny and Patrick Kisnorbo but Andrew Hughes returned after illness at left back and Bradley Johnson came in on the left flank. Teenage midfielder Will Hatfield was on the bench for the first time.

Spurs, who again fielded a near full-strength line-up, still lacked former Leeds pair Jonathan Woodgate and Aaron Lennon.

The pitch was in remarkably good condition considering the heavy snowfall a couple of hours before kick-off and 37,704 spectators were in full voice to create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Champions League nights at Elland Road.

Defoe was unable to take advantage of Andrew Hughes’ misplaced back-pass after less than two minutes but Jonny Howson’s 20-yard shot only just cleared the angle of post and bar at the other end.

Defoe was only inches away from giving Spurs a 13th-minute advantage, his volley zipping just past a post, and in a lively opening Micky Doyle’s low drive tested Spurs’ Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Leeds keeper Ankergren, on top of his game in the original clash, covered himself in glory again twice in as many minutes.

First he stood up to Defoe, who sprinted clear from near halfway, the Dane blocking the shot for a corner. Then Gareth Bale’s powerful cross from the left took a wicked deflection off Leigh Bromby but Ankergren reacted in a flash to save one-handed, low down on his line.

Spurs tried to play Defoe through at every opportunity and just after the half-hour the striker was impeded in full flight by Lubo Michalik just outside the penalty box but referee Andre Marriner wasn’t up with play and the offence went unpunished, much to Defoe’s disgust.

The inspired Ankergren saved yet again from Defoe, this time low to his left as Spurs showed their Premier League calibre.

The goal Harry Redknapp’s men had been threatening finally arrived in the 38th minute. David Bentley got round Hughes and cut in from the right before cutting the ball back for Defoe, who made no mistake this time, controlling the pass, spinning round and firing into the top corner with his left foot. It was the England and former Portsmouth striker’s 18th goal of the season.

Leeds almost produced a rapid equaliser, Gomes pulling off a magnificent save when Michalik got his head to Howson’s free-kick.

The leveller arrived less than a minute into time added on in the first half. Bromby crossed into the goalmouth where, with Spurs shouting in vain for an offside ruling, Jermaine Beckford’s shot was parried, but only to Becchio, who stabbed the ball in from five yards for his first goal since December 8 against Kettering in the same competition.

Peter Crouch somehow spooned the ball over the Leeds bar from inside the six-yard box on 52 minutes and Ankergren then made further stunning saves from Michael Dawson and Bentley.

An offside flag robbed Defoe of his second goal in the 68th minute when he turned Bale’s pass into the net with Leeds hanging on for their lives, but Defoe did score again after 73 minutes. Bentley found space on the right and Defoe forced home the winger’s low cross.

Crouch headed against the Leeds bar, Bromby nodded just over at the other end and, in a frantic finale, with Leeds pushing forward, Defoe broke clear in injury-time to grab his third.