It was the fourth Super Bowl triumph for the Giants, who also defeated the Patriots in the 2008 NFL championship match and captured the crown in 1987 and 1991.

Before a crowd of 68,658 at the dome-enclosed stadium where his older brother Peyton stars for the Indianapolis Colts, New York's Eli Manning guided the Giants on an 88-yard touchdown drive in the closing minutes capped by Bradshaw's scoring run.

Manning was named the game's most valuable player after completing 30-of-40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown.

New England took over needing a touchdown in the dying seconds but Tom Brady, who had already set records in the game for consecutive completions and completions in a row at the start of a Super Bowl, could not pull off a miracle.

Brady made two late throws to the end zone from midfield, the last on the game's final play, but New York defenders made certain they would not be denied a fairytale finish after starting the season 7-7 and winning six games in a row for the title when one defeat would have doomed their unlikely title dream.

Clinging to a 17-15 lead, the Patriots were shutdown near midfield and forced to punt, the Giants taking the ball at their own 12-yard line with 3 minutes and 46 seconds to play.

Manning completed a 38-yard pass to Mario Manningham that was confirmed on a video replay challenge to put New York at midfield, hit Manningham again for another 16 yards and Hakeem Nicks for 14 more to reach New England's 18-yard line with 2 minutes remaining.

Three plays later, Bradshaw ran untouched into the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Giants a 21-17 lead.

A two-point conversion run failed, leaving 57 seconds for the Patriots to try and score a touchdown to win the game.

The Patriots got their opportunity, but the Giants were not to be denied.