The win against Steve Bruce's men came courtesy of two goals from knockout specialist Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has also scored in every round of the Carling Cup, and Luka Modric's diving header.

Wigan, who have never beaten Spurs, had cause to complain about Modric's effort as Maynor Figueroa was injured in the build-up before the Spurs playmaker scored his third in five appearances.

Henri Camara pulled a goal back for the visitors with three minutes left to give them brief hope but the hosts avoided the replay they were dreading that would stretch their thin squad.

Television schedules meant this was the first game of the round where top-flight teams get put in the hat, and it meant Redknapp was defending the trophy he won with Pompey 229 days before.

Redknapp admits that next week's Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley and climbing the Barclays Premier League are his priorities - and recruiting another striker is not far behind.

The lack of attacking options got worse in the 28th minute when Darren Bent limped down the tunnel after suffering a knock, leaving Pavlyuchenko and Fraizer Campbell as Redknapp's only fit senior strikers.

Even before Bent's injury, Spurs fans were singing the name of Jermain Defoe, the striker who was sold to Redknapp at Pompey almost a year ago but has now been linked with a return.

While Spurs fans chanted for Defoe, there was no noise from the away section as many fans did not make the journey due to the plane crash in Staffordshire earlier in the day, meaning travelling south by train or motorway was almost impossible.

Depleted in the stands, Bruce's men were also short of injured trio Emile Heskey, Amr Zaki and Chris Kirkland, while Lee Cattermole was suspended.

Bruce's seven changes and Spurs' attacking line-up made for an open game - but there was little in the way of early clear-cut openings.

Wigan striker Camara met an Antonio Valencia cross following a quick free-kick - but his header went just wide.

Modric had the first effort for the hosts, exchanging passes with Pavlyuchenko then firing the wrong side of the post; then debutant goalkeeper Richard Kingson had to be watchful when Gareth Bale swung a free-kick just over his crossbar.

Kingson was left stranded when David Bentley's cross was met by Kevin Kilbane - but the defender's clearance went wide to the relief of the visitors.

Didier Zokora required treatment after a clearance from team-mate Michael Dawson struck him straight between the legs and Modric forced Kingson into a low save just before the half-time whistle.

Spurs took the lead seven minutes into the second half after Campbell raced through and took the ball around Kingson before feeling a touch from the goalkeeper and going down.

Pavlyuchenko took the spot-kick and sent Kingson the wrong way, his eighth of the season after arriving from Spartak Moscow.

Campbell could have added another himself when he met Pavlyuchenko's cross with a firm header - but Kingson flew to his right to claw the effort away.

Camara thought he had sight of an equaliser when he took advantage of a Dawson mistake to go clean through, only for Jonathan Woodgate to dash back and make a last-ditch tackle.

Redknapp apologised to Bruce after Spurs' second goal as substitute Figueroa was down injured after a kick in the face from Dawson.

Gomes started the move with a long throw but then yelled to team-mates to put the ball into touch - but play carried on and the ball was worked to Jamie O'Hara.

O'Hara's shot came off the post and Modric, who was losing his footing, stumbled into a diving header to place the ball into the empty net.

Wigan were given hope when the ball ricocheted to Camara and he tucked his finish away from close range - but Pavlyuchenko added the third in stoppage time with a long-range drive.