The two starting line-ups showed a total of 20 changes from the respective weekend fixtures but Spurs still took the field with the likes of Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado in their side.
Midfielder Jorge Grant was the most surprising name in the Nottingham Forest XI and he broke the deadlock just after the hour mark at White Hart Lane.
Ryan Mason and Harry Kane were both brought on for Spurs and it was Mason who levelled on 72 minutes before Soldado and then Kane in the dying minutes gave the hosts the victory they deserved on chances created and possession but one they were made to fight hard for by Stuart Pearce's side.
A proud Pearce said afterwards: "We put a team out that we felt was going to win the game and I think Tottenham will be more than pleased that they managed to get through in this competition and not get beaten at home again. They had a big scare."