Paul Robinson pulled off a stunning save to help nervy Spurs reach the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, putting himself in the frame for Wembley this weekend.

Robinson was dropped last month and missed 10 games, losing his England place in the process, but was granted a return after Radek Cerny's blunder allowed Slavia Prague back in this tie a week ago.

It meant Robinson and Spurs only had a slender 2-1 lead to protect from Prague, and they very nearly failed to do it.

Had Robinson not brilliantly tipped Milan Ivana's free-kick around the post late on, then the Carling Cup finalists would have been facing an unwanted extra 30 minutes.

It all looked plain sailing early on, as the north-London side extended their advantage when Jamie O'Hara netted his first goal for the club but Matej Krajcik's close-range strike- which left Robinson with no chance - meant a nervous second half.

Spurs could not conserve energy for the Carling Cup final on Sunday against Chelsea, but at least the likes of Darren Bent were given a chance to impress.

Head coach Juande Ramos confirmed in his programme notes: "Nobody has secured their position in the side yet and so it is important that every single player puts in a maximum performance to demonstrate they are in the best condition to be considered for future fixtures."

Ramos must decide whether to go with Robinson's big-match experience this weekend or leave him out if he feels the goalkeeper has been scarred by a year of inconsistency.

The 28-year-old was even named skipper for the first half before Robbie Keane was introduced. The omens are not necessarily good; Jermain Defoe was given the armband just before he left for Portsmouth recently.

Robinson was a bystander for the opening exchanges, with Spurs extending their aggregate lead in the seventh minute through O'Hara's first goal for the club.

Frantisek Drizdal failed to clear a cross convincingly, allowing Dimitar Berbatov to control on the edge of the area. O'Hara took over and his left-footed drive took a deflection off Martin Latka to wrong-foot Michal Vorel.

Robinson started Spurs' next attack with a long ball to Pascal Chimbonda. The full-back was fouled on the touchline and Vorel was required to push Tom Huddlestone's set-piece to safety.

Vorel also saved well when Huddlestone tried his luck from long distance midway through the half, and Aaron Lennon made a mess of the rebound when he had time to spare.

With Spurs looking for shooting practice ahead of their Wembley final, O'Hara flashed a volley wide when he met Teemu Tainio's hanging cross.

O'Hara was in the thick of the action and set up Bent with a cross just before the half-hour mark - but the striker's effort struck the crossbar after looping over Vorel.

Midfielder O'Hara also went just over with a dipping free-kick, while a foul on him by Krajcik earned a booking.

Robinson was finally called into action 10 minutes before the break and he was down well to parry Jaroslav Cerny's low, swerving shot.

Keane came on at half-time and almost scored with his first touch when he hooked a Lennon cross just wide.

But Slavia got back in the tie in the 50th minute when Krajcik stabbed in at the far post after Daniel Pudil curled a cross beyond the Spurs defence.

Keane had a strike ruled out but it was his team-mates who appeared to be offside.

Chimbonda was replaced by Steed Malbranque on the hour - and worryingly for Spurs headed down the tunnel for treatment.

There were more concerns when Drizdal was given a free header in the next move but his effort went straight at Robinson.

David Strihavka then brought a diving save from Robinson and also struck the post as the visitors sensed panic.

Teams

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda (Malbranque 61), Kaboul,Woodgate, O'Hara, Tainio, Huddlestone, Zokora,Lennon (Jenas 70), Berbatov (Keane 46), Bent.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Lee, Taarabt, Rocha.

Booked: O'Hara.

Goals: O'Hara 7.

Slavia Prague Vorel, Krajcik (Belaid 87), Latka, Brabec,Drizd'al (Volesak 81), Kalivoda (Ivana 46), Hubacek, Suchy,Jaroslav Cerny, Strihavka, Pudil.

Subs Not Used: Vaniak, Tavares, Sourek.

Booked: Krajcik, Pudil, Ivana.

Goals: Krajcik 51.

Agg (3-2)

Att: 34,224

Ref: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden).