Tottenham's pursuit of glory in 'the year of the one' remains intact after a scintillating display that shattered Stockport County.

George Graham's modern day side are attempting to keep up the freakish legacy of the north London club that has seen silverware stored at White Hart Lane in 1901, 1921, 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991.

The 2001 version only made it this far in the competition following a stunning comeback from two goals down to win 4-2 at Charlton in the previous round.

That performance and the relish with which they went about securing a place in the last eight against Andy Kilner's men has enhanced the historical evidence that Spurs' name is on the trophy they have won eight times.

No other club left in this time has housed it on as many occasions.

It took the hosts less than five minutes to open the scoring through Ledley King and substitute Simon Davies' wonderful second as many minutes into the second period completed the job.

Mike Flynn's own goal had provided an unassailable three-goal lead at the interval as Spurs strolled into the quarter-finals.

Stockport, in the fifth round for the first time more than half a century, were simply blown away with Spurs extending their unbeaten stretch to nine matches since the turn of the year.

The lead was secured with the first chance of the game. Sergei Rebrov was fouled on the right and Stephen Clemence swung in the resulting free-kick for King to glance a header past County keeper Lee Jones from eight yards.

The home side's early goal appeared to inspire them and an Oyvind Leonhardsen break away was halted by a crunching challenge by Flynn which earned the Stockport captain an 11th-minute caution.

The Norwegian continued after treatment, but was clearly troubled and limped off minutes later to be replaced by Welsh youngster Davies.

Clemence forced Jones to fist out a fierce shot after a jinking run from the midfielder as Spurs continued to press.

A deep cross from Peter Clark caused problems at the other end, but Shefki Kuqi failed to direct his header on target.

Kuqi's aerial presence appeared to be the visitors' most potent threat, but the forward wasted their best chance of the first half, powering a free header from Nicholson's 34th-minute corner over Neil Sullivan's bar.

Sullivan gifted Stockport another opening five minutes later, attempting a quick throw out, Nicholson intercepting and feeding Flynn. The centre-back's cross was headed just inches wide by Jarkko Wiss.

Stockport were dead and buried by the break as Flynn's afternoon took another turn for the worst in the 44th minute.

Luke Young dashed down the right flank and crossed low for Ferdinand, only for Flynn to bobble the ball past Jones and into the net.

Three soon became four as Graham's team made a mockery of their recent scoring drought with the best goal of the encounter five minutes into the second period.

Tim Sherwood's lofted ball forward was superbly controlled by the marauding Davies, who hardly broke stride before unleashing a drive beyond Jones from the edge of the area for his second goal of the afternoon.

Gary Doherty, scorer of the late winner at Leyton Orient in round three, then thrilled the crowd with a mazy run from the back past three defenders from inside his own half, but was blocked out in the area and his lay-off was wastefully struck into Jones' clutches by Clemence.

His attacking threat obviously impressed Graham, who switched the versatile Republic of Ireland international to a forward role alongside Rebrov midway through the half with Ferdinand replaced by another youngster, Alton Thelwell.

Sullivan, who was barely tested throughout, turned a Nicholson effort around his left-hand upright after the full-back had popped up on the right.

Aaron Wilbraham then dragged a shot wide as Stockport searched for some consolation.

Doherty could have made it 5-0 in the closing stages, but struck his shot - after outpacing Flynn - too close to the on-rushing Jones, who charged down his right-foot drive on the run.

Young's late snapshot was then headed out by Clare on the line as Spurs had to settled for a four-star showing.

Teams:

Tottenham: Sullivan, Young, Doherty, Campbell, Freund, Sherwood, Leonhardsen (Davies 16), Clemence, King, Ferdinand (Thelwell 67), Rebrov (Korsten 88).

Subs Not Used: Walker, Etherington.

Booked: Doherty.

Goals: King 5, Davies 30, Flynn 44 og, Davies 50.

Stockport: Jones, Grayson, Nicholson, Flynn, Clark (Fradin 55), Cooper (Carrigan 82), Gibb (Connelly 61), Wiss, Clare, Kuqi, Wilbraham.

Subs Not Used: Dibble, Smith.

Booked: Flynn, Clare.

Att: 36,040

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).