Incentive for United to clinch promotion is provided by FA cup heroics

Jermain Defoe's third hat-trick of the season ended United's stirring run as Tottenham Hotspur triumphed 3-1.

United must now turn their attention to the League One title race and the less than glamorous surrounds of Hartlepool United's Victoria Park that lay in wait on Saturday.

And Grayson insists the memory of the Cup run that saw his side win at Manchester United and draw at White Hart Lane can only help boost the promotion push.

He said: "Occasions like this are the motivation to make it happen even more. The crowd and the atmosphere were brilliant and brought back memories of five or six years ago when we were in the Premier League.

"We want to get back to playing Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United every week.

"Over two games against Spurs, we have given a really good account of ourselves and I think people will have seen what we are all about.

"Our main aim is to ensure we get back in the Championship. Time will tell if we can do it but we now have a good opportunity.

"The league is our bread and butter but we can take a lot from our Cup run. The players were really down in the dressing room but they will feel better about themselves in the morning.

"That is when they will appreciate what they have achieved."

Harry Redknapp was full of praise for Leeds after watching his side book a fifth round trip to Bolton Wanderers a week on Sunday.

The Tottenham manager said: "Leeds are a good side and I think they will go up this year. I can also see them doing well next season in the Championship, too.

"They are a Premier League club and it needs to get back up there.

"Leeds have great support. There were 37,000 here tonight, all screaming.

"They also get 25,000 in the Third Division and that is just great."

On the game, Redknapp said: "I thought we played very well in a difficult game against a good Leeds team.

"Apart from the five minutes just before half-time, we did well. I also thought their goal was offside.

"There were three of them standing offside and I think the linesman was embarrassed when he looked up and saw it on the big screen.

"I was pleased with our performance because, for some of our lads, it was their first visit to Elland Road."