Carr hits nightmare own goal

Tottenham crashed out of Europe in heart-breaking fashion when they conceded two goals in injury time. Just as George Graham's men thought they had done a job to squeeze into the UEFA Cup third round, they let their concentration slip and let in two goals in a minute.

The first came when French World Cup star Youri Djorkaeff made a brilliant run and fed Andreas Buck who slotted home. Then, deep into stoppage time, Buck crossed from the right-hand by-line and Stephen Carr turned the ball into his net.

It meant the Germans went through 2-1 on aggregate and it was particularly cruel for goalkeeper Ian Walker, who had kept Tottenham in the tie with a series of outstanding saves.

Tottenham manager Graham sprang a major tactical surprise with his team selection, dropping first-leg star David Ginola and replacing him wide on the left with Steffen Iversen.

With eight-goal Iversen - who scored that penalty at White Hart Lane - in a withdrawn role, it left Chris Armstrong as a lone striker making his first start after missing three games with an ankle injury.

Tottenham's hearts were in their mouths after just two minutes when Kaiserslautern squandered a golden opportunity to level the tie. Carr conceded a free-kick just outside his area level with the six-yard line. Djorkaeff drove the ball across the box and, with the goal at his mercy at the far post, left wingback Jeff Strasser somehow poked the ball wide.

After six minutes Steffen Freund's long throw fell invitingly for Tim Sherwood, but his shot lacked the pace to beat goalkeeper Andreas Reinke.

Tottenham had Walker to thank after 27 minutes when he came to the rescue with a superb save. Skipper Sol Campbell misjudged the bounce of a high ball on the edge of the box and Ratinho pounced with a fierce drive which Walker pushed round his left post despite seeing the ball quite late.

The pressure was eased a little after 33 minutes when Spurs won a free-kick on the right touchline, level with the 18-yard box, from which they went close to scoring.

Clemence floated the ball into the danger area and Iversen rose well to meet it with a header which sailed inches over the bar and on to the roof of the net.

Back at the Tottenham end, Walker was again the hero after 36 minutes. A loose ball fell to Kaiserslautern skipper Ciriaco Sforza and he hit a precise sidefoot shot which was destined for the bottom corner until the goalkeeper dived to his right to palm the ball to safety.

The second half started in the same pattern as the first with the Germans camped inside the Spurs half, and again Walker was called upon to make an important save after 51 minutes.

A long throw into the box was hanging dangerously in the air and Carr couldn't help but head it towards his goal. Fortunately for the young Irish full-back Walker plucked the ball to safety.

Spurs could have wrapped up the tie on a rare break after 59 minutes when Carr's cross was headed goalwards by Armstrong but deflected wide. The corner dropped nicely for Iversen but he screwed it wide from eight yards.

How costly the miss was became clear with the injury time heartbreak.

KAISERSLAUTERN: Reinke, Schjonberg (Tare 83), Ramzy (Reich 86), Koch, Hristov, Ratinho, Sforza, Strasser, Buck, Djorkaeff, Marschall (Pettersson 74). Subs Not Used: Gospodarek, Roos, Wagner, Sobotzik. Booked: Strasser. Goals: Carr 90 og, Buck 90.

TOTTENHAM: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Perry, Edinburgh (Young 76), Leonhardsen, Sherwood, Freund, Clemence, Iversen, Armstrong (Ginola 81). Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Vega, Fox, Dominguez, Gower. Booked: Carr, Campbell.

Referee: J Roca (Spain).