The New York Giants came from behind to beat the New England Patriots 21-17 with a dramatic last-minute touchdown in Indianapolis.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who destroyed New England in the Super Bowl four years ago, repeated the trick to set up Ahmad Bradshaw's six-yard run.

There were still 57 seconds for Tom Brady to respond, though, but the Patriots quarterback fell just short.

As in Super Bowl XLII, Manning picked up the Most Valuable Player award.

Manning, who this season led his team to six victories after being in losing positions before the Super Bowl, kept his composure at the end of a keenly contested encounter to mount the winning drive.

He was helped enormously though by a stunning catch by Mario Manningham, which will be remembered for years to come.

It came on the first play of their final drive. Manning, on his own 12-yard line with less than four minutes remaining, signalled his intent by firing a long pass down the left sideline. Manningham defied gravity to produce a superb catch as he fell, somehow getting both feet down in bounds and holding on to the ball.

It provided the Giants - who began the game well, taking an early 9-0 lead - with fresh impetus after they wilted under some relentless pressure from the Brady-inspired Patriots.

Eight plays later, and in surreal circumstances, Bradshaw fell into the endzone, completely untouched by the New England defence, who were prepared to concede the touchdown because it would have allowed Brady enough time for one final chance.

Were Bradshaw to have fallen at the one-yard line, Scottish-American kicker Lawrence Tynes would have had an easy field goal attempt to win the game as time expired.

Giants running back Bradshaw, who impressed throughout with 72 rushing yards from 17 attempts, could not stop himself from scoring, setting up a nailbiting final minute in which Brady - who completed a Super Bowl record 16 passes in a row during the game - did his utmost to snatch victory for New England.

But, with the last play of the game, his Hail Mary pass was batted to the ground by the Giants' relieved defence.

It was cruel on Brady, playing in his fifth Super Bowl, who recovered superbly from conceding a safety with his first possession to complete 27 of 41 passes for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Giants capitalised on Brady's mistake to take a 9-0 lead