STEVE McClaren was left fuming at the penalty decision that he believes was a "defining moment" in Middlesbrough's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

And the Boro boss, whose side lost their first Premiership away game since August, was left disappointed at the way his menthrew away a one goal lead.

Despite plenty of possession the home side were struggling to find the equaliser, after Alen Boksic had given the Teeessiders a ninth minute lead, until referee Mike Dean awarded a controversial penalty.

Tottenham's Mauricio Taricco made his way into the box when he fell to the floor as though the floor had been taken from beneath him.

Boro's Franck Queudrue, a goal-hero in the 2-0 win over Sunderland a week ago, suddenly turned villain as he was adjudged to have brought down the Argentinian 13 minutes after the interval.

Teddy Sheringham, a player McClaren had warned about before the match, slotted in the spot-kick with his usual prowess.

Then three minutes later Spurs hit the winner through Les Ferdinand and held on to claim all the points.

Both managers insisted it was not a penalty, and McClaren said: "The first ten minutes of the second half is always important.

"I did not think it was a penalty and it turned the game.

"After that incident you are always going to come under pressure and we did.

"The disappointing thing was that we conceded another goal so soon after - the concentration should have been there.

"But the lads showed tremendous character and they battled hard to try to get something out of the game.

"We had a few chances to get a result. Ugo missed a volley that flew over the bar, Alen had a couple of other chances when he cut inside.

"But we have got to be pleased with coming away to Tottenham and knowing that we should have gained a result."

The Boro chief sympahised with Queudrue who was depressed after the match with The Wirral official's decision.

"I'm not going to get into a situation were I damn the player," he said. "Taricco was going into the penalty box to cause problems.

"He jinked his way in and jinked his way down. There is nobody more disappointed in our dressing room than Franck who the decision went against."

On the balance of play Tottenham deserved the victory with Boro relying heavily on the counter-attack.

Even when Boksic's volley gave his side the lead - his fourth of the season - after nine minutes Tottenham were enjoying most of the play.

"It was the game plan" according to McClaren - and it very nearly paid off.

Boro did not have another shot worth noting in the opening period, but Spurs' attacks were continually blocked by the again impressive Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu.

The talk before the game was all about Sheringham and England, but neither Southgate nor Ehiogu were troubled by the in-form veteran.

Hoddle, celebrating his 44th birthday on Saturday, admitted before the clash he would rather play Arsenal than Boro because he knew what to expect from the Gunners.

And, like most others, the former England boss was probably wondering what McClaren's attacking intentions were with his forward triumvirate.

Carlos Marinelli, Boksic and Szilard Nemeth were all played in the attacking third in exactly the same line-up that faced Sunderland.

It was another clear indication that McClaren is beginning to find the line-up he has been searching for since taking over three months ago.

The former Manchester United No 2 is happy with the progress being made saying: "You will always want more points on the board no matter what you are striving for.

"But we are building, as you saw here at Tottenham, what is a natural team.

"The players come for each other; battle for each other; pass for each other and create for each other. That's the sort of team you have to create if you want a solid platform."

But the scoreline finally reflected the amount of possession shared by the home side.

After Sheringham's spot-kick, Ferdinand got in front of Robbie Stockdale to put the ball past Mark Schwarzer from Taricco's cross which was flicked on by Queudrue. Boro pushed on to try to level matters but their two game unbeaten run was over

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