Tottenham failed for the fourth time this season - and the third time in 12 days - to get the better of London rivals Wimbledon.

The sequence of draws must come to an end over the next couple of games, with a Wembley place up for grabs in the second leg of this semi-final at Selhurst Park on February 16, with Wimbledon - who first have to return to White Hart Lane for an FA Cup fourth round replay next Tuesday - feeling confident of reaching the Twin Towers for the first time in 11 years after this latest clash.

Less than a fortnight ago they dredged out a goalless Premiership draw at Tottenham when Spurs' charismatic star David Ginola pleaded in vain for a quartet of penalties.

This time the French ace's low-key contribution to tense, frantic struggle lasted less than an hour when he trudged miserably off with a hamstring injury having barely disturbed the composure of the rugged, yet impressively disciplined Wimbledon defence.

Only in the closing minutes did the Dons show signs of desperation and Spurs substitute Les Ferdinand was left with a glorious opportunity to gain a vital edge for George Graham's side, racing clear between two defenders only to be pegged back in the penalty are by Ben Thatcher's immaculate challenge.

Darren Anderton had also hit a post with a 65th minute free kick in one of his few inspirational moments after being largely banished to a position wide on the right.

And at the death Ferdinand's header after Ramon Vega had nodded on Anderton's corner flew straight into the arms of goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from just 10 yards.

But the battle was a largely unedifying spectacle, typical of semi-final matches, and it was surely Wimbledon - beaten only once at home this season - who emerged with most satisfaction.

It looked a clear case, in a scrappy first half, of familiarity breeding contempt in this long-running series of meetings between the two sides.

Wimbledon needed to do little more than go through the motions to squeeze the ambition out of the lethargic Spurs attacks.

Tottenham's only genuine threat to goal in the opening 45 minutes was a deflection of full-back Steve Carr's hopeful long range shot which only marginally alarmed Sullivan.

By contrast, Wimbledon's much rarer raids were stamped with invention. Efan Ekoku's muscular run opened the way for a Michael Hughes cross-shot which forced a corner.

Then Neal Ardley, from 25 yards, warmed Ian Walker's hands with a flashing drive.

With Steffen Freund and Allan Nielsen adding little purpose to their industry bin central midfield, Tottenham's creative wide players Ginola and Anderton were given little scope.

Five minutes before the break, Wimbledon - for once - failed to effectively deal with an Anderton corner and after Steffen Iversen's angled shot was blocked and ran loose, Sol Campbell jabbed a half-chance over the bar.

Spurs tried gamely to build up a fresh head of steam from the start of the second half but the Wimbledon barrier proved impenetrable despite a succession of free kicks and corners.

Indeed, it was the Dons who went closest to breaking the deadlock in an increasingly fractious encounter - both times through the nimble Hughes who released whiplash shots from outside the area, the first clearing the bar by no more than two feet and the second whistling into the side-netting.

But it was Hughes who brought down Freund, on a crossfield run that appeared to be going nowhere, in a dangerous central area five yards outside the Dons' box.

And when Nielsen touched the 65th minute free kick sideways, Anderton's curling shot flicked off a post.

By then, Ginola had limped off, rubbing his right thigh after a 58th minute clash with Kenny Cunningham that brought Wimbledon a free kick.

On his way off, the Frenchman appeared to exchange unpleasantries with Dons boss Joe Kinnear.

As well as sending on Andy Sinton in Ginola's place, Spurs also substituted the ineffective Chris Armstrong for Les Ferdinand and almost had to call for a third sub soon afterwards when Justin Edinburgh caught Jason Euell's flying boot in the head but battled on after treatment.

And in the last quarter they finally presented Wimbledon's solid rearguard with a genuine test - but one that Kinnear's team were fully able to pass.

Teams

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh, Anderton, Nielsen, Freund, Ginola (Sinton 59), Armstrong (Ferdinand 60), Iversen.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Calderwood, Fox.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Perry, Blackwell, Thatcher, Ardley (C. Hughes 89), Earle, Roberts, M. Hughes, Ekoku, Euell (Leaburn 83).

Subs Not Used: Heald, Kimble, Kennedy.

Booked: M. Hughes.

Att: 35,997

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).