Jermaine Jenas' last-minute goal snatched a dramatic victory for Newcastle at White Hart Lane.
The match seemed to be heading towards the first goalless draw between the sides since 1971 when the young midfielder struck.
Both teams had chances to win the game - and Spurs will feel that Gus Poyet's second-half strike was incorrectly ruled out for off-side.
But Jenas' late mis-hit winner settled the contest, propelling Newcastle to second in the Premiership table and sending the Toon faithful into raptures.
Tottenham created the early openings, with Gardner heading over from short range after a Sheringham flick-on and Titus Bramble making a crucial block after Poyet guided a Simon Davies cross goalwards.
And the home team soon wrestled the initiative in midfield, with Newcastle duo Kieron Dyer and Jenas struggling to impose themselves on the game.
But Spurs keeper Kasey Keller made the first meaningful save of the evening, denying Olivier Bernard from 25 yards after the French midfielder had eluded both Davies and Darren Anderton.
Tottenham striker Keane injured his ankle in a challenge with Bramble early in the match, limping off seconds after Bernard's shot and was replaced by Gary Doherty.
Shay Given almost gifted Spurs a goal early in the second half.
His clearance hit Nikos Dabizas and rebounded to Poyet, who hit the ball on the volley from 35 yards.
The Uruguayan thought he had opened the scoring, but Given atoned for his initial error with a superb one-handed save.
Poyet then put the ball in the net only for the goal to be harshly ruled out for off-side, then at the other end Keller superbly saved from Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy played Shearer through with full time looming and the striker forced a good save from 18 yards.
The ball broke to Jenas, who had time to pick his spot but amazingly missed the target.
But the former Nottingham Forest player soon made up for his glaring miss.
Keller parried Bellamy's injury-time shot to Jenas, who again made poor contact, but this time the ball somehow evaded Spurs' goalkeeper and handed Newcastle only their third away win of the season.
KEY MOMENTS 35 mins: Keller saves from Bernard 53 mins: Poyet goal ruled out for off-side 54 mins: Keller saves from Bellamy 85 mins: Jenas misses with Keller stranded 90 mins: Jenas wins it for Newcastle
