A GOAL from debutant Andros Townsend and a Jermain Defoe double sent Spurs into the fourth round of the FA Cup at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Any hopes Charlton had of causing an upset against the Premier League side faded shortly after half-time as Townsend broke the deadlock from 25 yards.

The 19-year-old winger had been the most threatening of Spurs' attacking options before the break, and when Sandro squared the ball to him in the 49th minute he struck a low drive into the bottom corner of the net with a composure that belied his inexperience.

Defoe, who was making his return from a three-match suspension after being sent off against Aston Villa in December, drove at the Charlton penalty area on 57 minutes before jinking to his right and firing a shot past Rob Elliot.

Three minutes later the striker doubled his tally and put the result beyond doubt as he made an almost identical run at the visitors' defence.

This time his initial shot was blocked but the England international was first to react when the ball bobbled lose, as he calmly side-footed into the net.

Unsurprisingly, Spurs had a lion's share of the possession throughout the goal-less first half and although their League One opponents broke with pace on several occasions they never created more than a half-chance.

Despite their defeat Charlton acquitted themselves well throughout and could have snatched a late consolation goal three minutes from time, but substitute Akpo Sodje saw his shot saved by Carlo Cudicini.