Tottenham striker Robbie Keane returned to haunt his former manager Mark McGhee - with a late winner to dump Brighton out of the FA Cup in the third round.

The 24-year-old, who was given his professional debut by McGhee when the pair were at Wolves, struck a spectacular volley with eight minutes remaining to earn a hard-fought victory at White Hart Lane.

Ledley King had given Spurs the lead with a first-half header but the visitors gave a good account of themselves and equalised through Richard Carpenter.

Although they are 18th in the Coca-Cola Championship, McGhee's side were unbeaten over Christmas and matched their Barclays Premiership opponents in periods of play and could have grabbed a win but for the form of goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Jermain Defoe, King and Leon Knight were all prominent figures for Spurs.

Defoe caused the visitors trouble on his return to the side with his movement but was initially kept quiet by former Spurs centre-back Guy Butters.

The veteran was made captain for the day by McGhee and had to be at his best to keep Spurs' impressive front pair of Defoe and Keane at bay. The danger was shown after four minutes when he blocked Defoe's strike on goal.

King was keeping Knight quiet in the early stages, the former Chelsea striker reduced to a wild lunge at Pedro Mendes as revenge for what appeared to be a dive in the box by the Portugal midfielder just before the half-hour mark.

Knight did have a shot after seven minutes and Robinson was down to save - although the 25-yard effort looked likely to drift wide.

Another long-distance effort almost gave the Seagulls a shock lead after 15 minutes.

Carpenter rattled the bar after receiving the ball from Gary Hart's flick, the drive beating Robinson but thudding against the woodwork. Carpenter tried his luck from long distance again, this time a volley after 26 minutes, but his shot was dragged wide.

McGhee's side had missed their chance to punish the home side's lacklustre start - and Spurs responded with flowing football which has brought them six wins in their eight-match unbeaten run going into this tie.

After 31 minutes, Keane hit the bar when he collected a through ball from Stephen Kelly and lifted his effort over Michel Kuipers. With Spurs attackers lurking, the ball bounced to safety.

Seven minutes later, Tottenham took the lead with an unlikely goal from King. Reto Ziegler's cross from a short corner found King, who looped his header over Kuipers.

The goal seemed to inspire Knight who broke through just before the end of the first half - but Kelly was back with a vital last-ditch tackle. Then in stoppage time for the opening period, Robinson had to tip over Knight's well-directed header from 18 yards out.

But Brighton were not to be denied and equalised in the first two minutes of the second half, Carpenter going one better than his previous effort when his free-kick from 25 yards curled around the wall and beat Robinson.

Carpenter received a booking for a foul on Keane after 52 minutes, although Defoe wasted the free-kick by firing his shot well over.

Both sides were going for a knockout blow, and Defoe was the next to go close - cutting inside and driving towards the near post where Kuipers had to be down smartly to prevent Spurs restoring the lead.

Knight was getting himself in the game - running at the home defence whenever possible - and he went close after 57 minutes with an effort which would in any case have been ruled out for offside.

Erik Edman was booked just after the hour mark for kicking the ball away during a set-piece, and Kerry Mayo almost punished him when the wall was moved back a further 10 yards. The full-back's wicked left-footed delivery evaded his team-mates and had to be tipped around the post by Robinson.

While Butters looked after Defoe, Adam Virgo was impressive against Keane. The Republic of Ireland striker was shepherded out by the centre-back after 68 minutes when he looked to be in a dangerous position in the box.

Head coach Martin Jol responded by bringing on Dean Marney, last week's two-goal hero against Everton, after 72 minutes. But his fresh legs were matched by the effort and endeavour of the visitors - although Hart was booked for going through the back of Michael Brown.

Ziegler's shot with 13 minutes left had to be tipped over by Kuipers as Spurs looked to grab a winner.

Striker Mark Yeates was then brought on for Mendes to give Jol attacking options - but it was Keane who struck the decisive goal with eight minutes left.

Chesting Edman's cross, he volleyed spectacularly past Kuipers into the top corner - and it remained 2-1, although Yeates went close.

Teams

Tottenham Robinson, Edman, King, Gardner, Kelly (Marney 73), Ziegler, Pedro Mendes (Yeates 78), Carrick, Brown, Keane, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Fulop, Pamarot, Ifil.

Booked: Edman.

Goals: King 40, Keane 83.

Brighton Kuipers, Mayo, Butters, Virgo, Hinshelwood, Knight, Harding, Reid, Carpenter, Hart, Oatway.

Subs Not Used: Watson, Nicolas, Jones, Hammond, May.

Booked: Carpenter, Hart.

Goals: Carpenter 48.

Att: 36,094

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).