Wanderers aren’t heading for Wembley . . . que sera, sera.

Football clubs often use the excuse that FA Cup elimination allows them to concentrate on the more important things, but in this case that cliché is entirely appropriate.

Ten days on from Fabrice Muamba’s dramatic collapse, this always seemed like a game that wasn’t entirely on the club’s agenda, however appealing a second successive appearance at Wembley might be.

It took Spurs 74 minutes to finally break Adam Bogdan’s incredible resolve, through Ryan Nelsen’s header, and just another two to do it again, with Gareth Bale capping a fine display.

But for the Whites – who most certainly gave this their best shot – it is now a case of concentrating on Premier League survival and the well-being of their team-mate, who was being updated with texts from the bench during the game.

After the emotions bubbled right on the surface throughout Saturday’s home derby with Blackburn, Wanderers were allowed little time with which to contemplate their fallen team-mate, or the events of March 17.

Of course, there was a spell before kick-off where both sets of players wore T-shirts bearing a thank you message for the support shown, and a minute’s applause was given to the medical staff, whose actions on that Saturday night were exemplary to say the least.

But when the whistle blew, there was little to distinguish this from any other trip to Spurs in recent years. It was a case of defend for your lives, and hope you snatch something.

Other than the missing Muamba, whose place in midfield was filled by Mark Davies, Coyle also took Martin Petrov out of the first team to give Chris Eagles his first start since the 2-1 home defeat against Wigan. But from a Wanderers’ perspective, they might as well have had just one player on the park at times.

Before the game, the big screen showed a replay of last season’s 3-0 victory for Tottenham, which could have been 10 had it not been for a catalogue of saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen.

One wonders if we will be treated to a similar montage of Adam Bogdan when next we make the trip to White Hart Lane because his work in the opening 70 minutes stopped the North Londoners from walking it.

Bogdan had already had his palms warmed by a Bale thunderbolt from the edge of the box when he pulled off a magnificent double save from Jake Livermore and Luka Modric – this all inside the first seven minutes.

We hoped there would be no sight of the stretchers last night, but 25 minutes in, Darren Pratley clattered into a challenge with Bale just past the halfway line.

Pratley signalled immediately to the bench that he needed to be substituted, with Mark Davies also gesturing to his manager that his team-mate had sustained a large gash down the inside of his thigh. Tim Ream went on to fill the role he had played for the first time in his career only a few weeks ago, at Manchester City. At this stage in the game, however, it seemed an added defensive presence was just what the doctor ordered.

There was little Bogdan could have done about a Bale pile-driver soon after the American’s arrival, which bounced off the side netting.

But the 24-year-old soon had the Spurs fans cursing his name again when he somehow got down to deny Scott Parker from close range, palming his effort inches round the post.

Coyle could hardly wait to get his side back down the tunnel at the break, having spent a large portion of the opening 45 minutes barking orders furiously at them from the touchline.

But there was little change in traffic direction after the restart as Luka Modric’s quick feet earned a free kick on the edge of the box, and Rafael Van der Vaart bounced his curling effort off the top of the bar.

It seemed the waves of Spurs attacks had slowed heading into the hour mark, but in a split second, Bale whipped a ball in for Adebayor, and his header dropped just over the bar. Almost immediately, Wanderers had their first chance.

After Reo-Coker had been blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Eagles followed up with a shot that looped off Ledley King and landed on top of a relieved Carlo Cudicini’s net.

But it proved only a temporary respite as Bogdan proved the immoveable object twice more, denying Adebayor and Bale, leaving Harry Redknapp looking to the heavens for assistance.

If there was to be a smash and grab, then Klasnic should have buried his chance when he capitalised on a borderline offside to bring a save out of Cudicini at his near post.

Redknapp’s prayers were answered on 74 minutes when former Nelsen got his head to Kyle Walker’s corner, and then again almost immediately after the restart as Bale succeeded at the umpteenth attempt to slide a shot past Bogdan.

There was just 30 seconds left on the clock when sub Kevin Davies tapped home Ivan Klasnic’s cross but even then Spurs had the last word, when sub Louis Saha smashed home with the last kick of the game.

That was quite enough drama. Wanderers have seen enough of that at White Hart Lane already this month.