By Marc Higginson BBC Sport

Tottenham were knocked out of the Europa League, despite a comfortable victory over Shamrock Rovers in Dublin.

Goals from Steven Pienaar, Andros Townsend, Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane sealed the win, but Rubin Kazan's 1-1 draw against PAOK Salonika rendered Spurs' efforts futile.

Pienaar opened the scoring with a deflected shot before Townsend found the top corner from long range.

Defoe and Kane scored from close range at the end of either half.

The result in Greece meant Tottenham could not progress, no matter how many goals they scored against Rovers but, after making nine changes to his starting line-up, Harry Redknapp will be pleased with the performance of his fringe players.

Did you know?

Spurs goalscorer Andros Townsend has enjoyed loan spells at Yeovil, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Ipswich, Watford and Millwall in recent seasons

Youngster Townsend caught the eye on the wing, with his fantastic goal capping a classy performance, while Danny Rose continued his rapid development with an assured display at full-back.

Needing above all to score goals, Tottenham were razor-sharp in the final third, but they did enjoy some luck at the other end of the pitch as both Jake Livermore and Carlo Cudicini escaped red cards for bringing down Rovers players when they were through on goal.

The home side, eager to give departing manager Michael O'Neill  a good send-off, enjoyed some good early possession with Ken Oman and Dan Murray going close.

Pienaar's opening goal came against the run of play, and there was an element of luck about it as the midfielder's angled shot took a deflection off James Paterson to beat Richard Brush in the Rovers goal.

There was nothing fortunate about the second goal with Defoe laying it off for Townsend, who placed a first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Once they had secured their foothold in the game, Spurs set about boosting their goal difference to overhaul Rubin Kazan in the Group A table.

And once Defoe turned his marker on the stroke of half-time to score a third goal, set up by Townsend, the improbable suddenly became possible.

Unfortunately for the visitors, 10-man Rubin Kazan equalised in Greece early in the second half to take Spurs' fate out of their own hands.

Did you know?

Shamrock Rovers named former Spurs midfielder Rohan Ricketts on the bench, but he remained an unused substitute

Regardless, they continued to pile forward and were given a reprieve early in the second half when Livermore hauled down Karl Sheppard when the striker was through on goal - only to breathe a sigh of relief when the referee waved play on.

They might have scored a fourth when Sandro's shot hit the past after a defensive mix-up, before another decision went Tottenham's way - Oman was through on goal and brought down by Cudicini, but the Italian was spared conceding a penalty and red card by the linesman's flag.

Both sides traded half-chances as the game became stretched in the final 10 minutes, most notably when Iago Falque hit the post from long range, before 18-year-old striker Kane spun his marker in the final minute of the match to score his first goal for the north London club.

However, it mattered very little to Redknapp's men, who will now hope their elimination helps a sustained title challenge in the Premier League while their rivals - the two Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea - continue to battle it out on the continent.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Shamrock Rovers

  • 01 Brush
  • 02 Sullivan
  • 03 Stevens
  • 05 Murray Booked
  • 17 Oman
  • 06 Rice (O'Donnell - 46' )
  • 10 Sheppard (Kilduff - 74' )
  • 18 Turner
  • 20 Dennehy
  • 21 Finn (Twigg - 57' )
  • 26 Paterson

Substitutes

  • 16 Thompson
  • 07 McCabe
  • 08 O'Donnell
  • 27 Ricketts
  • 09 Twigg
  • 11 Kilduff
  • 19 O'Neill

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 04 Kaboul
  • 32 Assou-Ekotto (Falque - 84' )
  • 21 Kranjcar Booked
  • 25 Rose
  • 29 Livermore
  • 30 Sandro
  • 31 Townsend
  • 40 Pienaar Booked
  • 17 Giovani
  • 18 Defoe (Kane - 76' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Gomes
  • 46 Carroll
  • 27 Falque
  • 37 Kane
Ref: Stephan Studer
Att: 7,500

Match Stats

Shots

9 23

On target

4 14

Corners

2 10

Fouls

11 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:20 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +1:45

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Pienaar by Stephen O'Donnell. Free kick taken by Iago Falque.

90:00 +0:42

Ken Oman is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Younes Kaboul restarts play with the free kick.

89:58

Assist on the goal came from Andros Townsend.

89:58 Goal scored

Goal - Harry Kane - Shamrock 0 - 4 Tottenham Harry Kane gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Tottenham.

89:44

The ball is crossed by Danny Rose,

89:32

Andros Townsend takes a shot.

88:53

Shot on goal by Billy Dennehy from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

88:53

Effort on goal by Billy Dennehy from just inside the area clears the bar.

88:15

The ball is delivered by James Paterson, Jake Livermore makes a clearance.

88:08

The ball is swung over by Billy Dennehy, clearance by Jake Livermore.

87:28

Pat Sullivan has an effort at goal. Carlo Cudicini makes a brilliant save.

86:30

Shot from just outside the box by Iago Falque misses to the right of the target.

85:58

Pat Sullivan challenges Danny Rose unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Rose restarts play with the free kick.

85:39

Effort from long distance by Iago Falque strikes the post.

84:47

Ciaran Kilduff gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jake Livermore. Direct free kick taken by Jake Livermore.

83:46 Substitution

Substitution Iago Falque comes on in place of Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

83:46

Niko Kranjcar produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

82:55

Raniere Sandro produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. Save by Richard Brush.

81:35

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Twigg. Younes Kaboul restarts play with the free kick.

80:34

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Niko Kranjcar.

79:14

Harry Kane takes a shot. Save by Richard Brush.

78:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Dan Murray by Danny Rose. Pat Sullivan takes the direct free kick.

78:06

Raniere Sandro takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Dan Murray.

77:19

Billy Dennehy produces a cross, Gary Twigg produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

76:07

Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a shot. Enda Stevens gets a block in. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Enda Stevens manages to make a clearance.

75:12 Substitution

Substitution Harry Kane is brought on as a substitute for Jermain Defoe.

73:40 Substitution

Substitution (Shamrock Rovers) makes a substitution, with Ciaran Kilduff coming on for Karl Sheppard.

73:40

Enda Stevens concedes a free kick for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

73:40

Direct free kick taken by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

73:40 Substitution

Substitution Karl Sheppard leaves the field to be replaced by Ciaran Kilduff.

73:40

awarded for an unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto by Enda Stevens.

73:13

Niko Kranjcar takes a shot. Save by Richard Brush.

73:02

Foul by Billy Dennehy on Steven Pienaar, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Steven Pienaar.

72:13

Corner taken left-footed by Andros Townsend to the near post, Pat Sullivan manages to make a clearance.

68:47

The offside flag is raised against Karl Sheppard. Carlo Cudicini restarts play with the free kick.

66:24

Shot by Andros Townsend. Dan Murray gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Andros Townsend to the near post.

65:53

Steven Pienaar takes a shot. Blocked by Dan Murray.

64:17

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Dos Santos Giovani from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by James Paterson.

63:48

Corner taken short by Andros Townsend.

63:03

A cross is delivered by Niko Kranjcar, clearance made by Enda Stevens.

60:45

Stephen O'Donnell has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.

59:54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jake Livermore on Billy Dennehy. Pat Sullivan takes the free kick.

59:19

Richard Brush takes the direct free kick.

59:19 Booking

Booking The referee shows Steven Pienaar a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

59:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Pienaar on Karl Sheppard.

58:27

Inswinging corner taken by Niko Kranjcar from the left by-line.

56:30 Substitution

Substitution Gary Twigg is brought on as a substitute for Ronan Finn.

55:16

Jermain Defoe fouled by Ken Oman, the ref awards a free kick. Shot comes in from Steven Pienaar from the free kick.

52:38

Billy Dennehy takes a shot. Save by Carlo Cudicini.

51:51

Pat Sullivan has a drilled shot. Younes Kaboul gets a block in.

51:29

Free kick awarded for a foul by Benoit Assou-Ekotto on Enda Stevens. Free kick taken by James Paterson.

49:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ken Oman on Andros Townsend. Niko Kranjcar has an effort direct from the free kick.

47:21

The ball is crossed by Danny Rose, Pat Sullivan gets a block in. Corner taken short by Danny Rose.

45:02 Substitution

Substitution Stephen O'Donnell replaces Stephen Rice.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +0:29 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

44:33

Assist on the goal came from Andros Townsend.

44:33 Goal scored

Goal - Jermain Defoe - Shamrock 0 - 3 Tottenham Jermain Defoe gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Shamrock Rovers 0-3 Tottenham.

43:50

The ball is delivered by Andros Townsend.

42:33

Shot by Jermain Defoe from 18 yards. Save by Richard Brush.

40:57

Andros Townsend produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.

37:23

Assist on the goal came from Jermain Defoe.

37:23 Goal scored

Goal - Andros Townsend - Shamrock 0 - 2 Tottenham A goal is scored by Andros Townsend from the edge of the area to the top right corner of the goal. Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Tottenham.

36:21

Shot from just outside the box by James Paterson goes over the bar.

35:53

Niko Kranjcar takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Richard Brush.

35:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andros Townsend by Stephen Rice. Free kick taken by Steven Pienaar.

33:30

The ball is sent over by Younes Kaboul.

33:05

Niko Kranjcar takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Pat Sullivan makes a clearance.

32:41

The ball is crossed by Dos Santos Giovani, save made by Richard Brush.

31:53

Centre by Andros Townsend, Enda Stevens manages to make a clearance. Dos Santos Giovani takes a short corner.

31:09

The ball is sent over by Andros Townsend, Dan Murray makes a clearance.

30:22

A cross is delivered by Dos Santos Giovani.

30:02

Outswinging corner taken by Billy Dennehy from the left by-line.

28:42

Assist by Raniere Sandro.

28:42 Goal scored

Goal - Steven Pienaar - Shamrock 0 - 1 Tottenham Steven Pienaar finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Shamrock Rovers 0-1 Tottenham.

27:56

The ball is sent over by Danny Rose.

26:52

Direct free kick taken by Dan Murray.

26:52 Booking

Booking Caution for Niko Kranjcar.

26:41

Niko Kranjcar concedes a free kick for a foul on Ronan Finn.

26:19

Younes Kaboul fouled by Stephen Rice, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Steven Pienaar.

25:31

Unfair challenge on Ronan Finn by Niko Kranjcar results in a free kick. Pat Sullivan restarts play with the free kick.

24:49

Shot from just outside the box by Jermain Defoe goes over the crossbar.

23:58

Jake Livermore restarts play with the free kick.

23:58 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Dan Murray for unsporting behaviour.

23:43

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Dos Santos Giovani by Dan Murray.

22:59

The ball is sent over by Ronan Finn, blocked by Danny Rose. Inswinging corner taken by Billy Dennehy, Dan Murray takes a shot. Save made by Carlo Cudicini.

21:38

Danny Rose delivers the ball.

20:55

Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Comfortable save by Richard Brush.

19:34

Ronan Finn challenges Niko Kranjcar unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Niko Kranjcar.

17:42

Raniere Sandro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Karl Sheppard. Direct free kick taken by Dan Murray.

15:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Turner by Dos Santos Giovani. Richard Brush restarts play with the free kick.

14:05

Benoit Assou-Ekotto is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Richard Brush takes the free kick.

10:24

Unfair challenge on Karl Sheppard by Jake Livermore results in a free kick. Centre by Billy Dennehy, Ken Oman produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.

7:34

A cross is delivered by Pat Sullivan. Karl Sheppard is ruled offside. Carlo Cudicini restarts play with the free kick.

6:03

Danny Rose delivers the ball.

5:44

Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Blocked by Dan Murray.

5:36

The ball is crossed by Dos Santos Giovani.

1:46

James Paterson is ruled offside. Carlo Cudicini restarts play with the free kick.

1:37

Centre by Billy Dennehy.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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