SPURS failed in their bid to lift the Carling Cup for the second year running at Wembley this afternoon.

The Lilywhites lost via a dramatic penalty shoot-out, after the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Subs Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley missed their spot kicks, while United scored all four of theirs.

Though the game ended goalless, both sides had their chances to win it in what was an exciting, end-to-end encounter.

Tottenham started slowly, but gradually worked their way into the game. By the end of extra time, there was nothing between the two sides.

Spurs were without Jonathan Woodgate, last year's match-winner, but there was a starting place for skipper Ledley King. United started with Cristiano Ronaldo, though Ryan Giggs had to settle for a seat on the bench and there was no place for Wayne Rooney.

The first opportunity fell to United after Carlos Tevez was tripped on the edge of the box, but Ronaldo fired the free-kick over the bar.

Ronaldo then shot straight into the arms of Heurelho Gomes after a Tevez lay-off.

The Red Devils started the better and Danny Welbeck should have done better with a Paul Scholes ball over the top, but the youngster did not even get a shot on goal.

Youngster Darren Gibson was inches away with a powerful drive from 25 yards, as the pressure increased.

Spurs were having trouble getting the ball out of their own half.

Nani was next to try his luck, Gomes tipping his low effort round the post after a quarter of an hour.

Tottenham's first sniff of goal came when Aaron Lennon beat keeper Ben Foster to a ball down the right and squared into the box, but Roman Pavyluchenko could not reach it and the danger was cleared.

Even United defender Rio Ferdinand was getting in on the act, his half-volley from distance landing on the roof of the net, as the favourites continued to press.

At the other end, Darren Bent shot straight at Foster, Spurs at last starting to pose a threat.

And there was an even better chance ten minutes before the interval, Pavyluchenko failing to get his header on target from a Lennon cross.

After their storming start, United had gone off the boil a little, the Lilywhites coming more into the game as half-time approached.

Lennon continued to pose the most danger, though his final delivery did not always match his fine approach play.

The first chance of the second half fell to Man United, but again Ronaldo's free-kick was off target.

Spurs had an opportunity in a similar position just a couple of minutes later, but Pavyluchenko was even more wild with his attempt, the ball sailing well over the bar.

There was now little to choose between the two sides, Jermaine Jenas curling an effort over with the outside of his boot and Pavyluchenko slicing an effort wide, as Tottenham continued to improve.

But there was a scare on the hour, Tevez diverting a Jonny Evans shot just a foot wide.

And United sub Anderson was also just wide with a curling free-kick that had Gomes stretching.

There were cheers midway through the half when Ronaldo went down inside the box under challenge from King and was promptly booked for diving, though the United fans were claiming a penalty.

With 20 minutes to go, Luka Modric dummied a Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross to leave Lennon with a free shot, but Foster pulled off a superb save to deny the winger.

If that was Tottenham's best chance of the 90 minutes, United's came in stoppage time, Ronaldo cutting inside and striking the near post. It was a lucky escape for Harry Redknapp's troops.

The first period of extra time brought few chances, Tevez coming the closest with a glancing header that finished wide.

After the break, David Bentley curled a free-kick on to the roof of the net and Tevez shot wide.

Bent also saw Foster block a shot with his legs, while Patrice Evra drove over at the back post for United.

However, neither of the two tired sides could break the deadlock.

SPURS (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Bentley 101), Jenas (Bale 98), Zokora, Modric; Pavlyuchenko (O'Hara 65), Bent. Subs not used: Alnwick, Huddlestone, Gunter, Taarabt.

Attendance: 88,217.

The penalty shoot-out . . .

Ryan Giggs (Man U): Giggs scores via the post (1-0 Man U).

Jamie O'Hara (Spurs): Foster pulls off a brilliant save, diving to his left (1-0 Man U).

Carlos Tevez (Man U): Finds the corner (2-0 Man U).

Vedran Corluka (Spurs): Scores straight down the middle (2-1 Man U).

Cristiano Ronaldo: (Man U): Sends Gomes the wrong way (3-1 Man U).

David Bentley (Spurs): Shoots wide (3-1 Man U).

Anderson (Man U): Sends Gomes the wrong way to win it (4-1 Man U).