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Middlesbrough edged closer towards a mid-table finish after two fortuitous goals at White Hart Lane meant they shared the points with Tottenham.

An impish piece of skill from Dimitar Berbatov set up the opener, with Jon Grounds putting through his own net, before Stewart Downing had an effort deflected in to level matters in the second half.

With Barclays Premier League survival virtually assured, Gareth Southgate's men can take heart from their recent narrow defeat to Chelsea and last weekends draw against Manchester United.

Along with this result, Boro are looking upwards rather than towards the danger zone.

A typical late rally by Middlesbrough saw them come from behind to earn a share of the spoils at Tottenham. Stewart Downing was the Boro hero at White Hart Lane when he netted his seventh Premier League goal of the season - eight in total - in the 69th minute to cancel out an own goal conceded by Jonathan Grounds earlier in the clash. The Middlesbrough midfielder, who had dropped into the left back position for Grounds as the North-East club chased an equaliser, cut on to his right foot a rifled a shot from 25 yards which took a slight deflection of Jermaine Jenas. The Teessiders had gone behind in the 25th minute when Grounds deflected Aaron Lennon's shot from close range, following good work by Dimitar Berbatov. There was little in the contest between both sides and chances were at a premium, but if anyone was going to find a winner it was going to be Boro. And Gareth Southgate's charges could and should have wrapped up the points after Downing's leveller. Striker Afonso Alves missed a glorious opportunity ten minutes from time when put through on goal by Downing, unfortunately the Brazilian missed the target by only the width of the post when put clear. Fellow frontman Jeremie Aliadiere also wasted a good chance two minutes from time when he swivelled around his marker only to scuff wide from close range. A point well deserved and it should see Boro safe from the drop.

Fabio Capello was in the stands to monitor the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, who was his usual calm self as he faced Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.

Down the flanks, Capello kept an eye on the raw pace of Aaron Lennon up against Downing, while Jermaine Jenas made the yards down the middle.

Then there were the young defenders in Michael Dawson and David Wheater - plenty to play for among the Englishmen despite the game looking meaningless on paper.

Robbie Keane, making his 250th appearance for Spurs, wrote in his programme notes about the importance of every match despite securing European football already by winning the Carling Cup.

That aside, if we do not secure a decent majority share of the 15 points available, we will not be able to look back on this term with any real satisfaction, he insisted.

Without the intensity of a relegation clash, at least there was open football on offer.

Boro thought they had taken the lead with just 73 seconds on the clock.

Pascal Chimbonda's slip allowed Gary O'Neil down the right and Alves tapped in after Jeremie Aliadiere met the cross first time and Radek Cerny parried - but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Jenas fired over from the edge of the area and it was Lennon's perseverance that set up Spurs first real chance when he robbed George Boateng in midfield.

The ball was spread to Keane and the cross was met by Berbatov but Mark Schwarzer did not have to move to make the save.

Jenas then went on a driving run, aided by a back-heel from Keane, and went beyond the Boro defence. His progress was only stopped when Schwarzer rushed out to smother the shot.

The opener came in the 26th minute and Berbatov took the plaudits despite Grounds getting the last touch. He flicked the ball over the Boro defence for Jenas to break the offside trap as Keane ran backwards from an offside position.

Jenas lost momentum but fed Berbatov on the right flank. The Bulgaria striker flicked the ball up and volleyed over a cross that Lennon met first time, with the ball going in off Grounds knee.

Boro, who had Emanuel Pogatetz booked for a foul soon after the opener, looked for a way back into the game.

They were almost gifted a chance when Cerny came out to claim and dropped the ball on the edge of the area to prevent handball, but he managed to scramble clear.

In the second half, Wheater met a corner with a firm header and it required Lennon, the smallest player on the pitch, to head off the line as he guarded the post.

Alves also played Aliadiere down the right channel and Dawson was over to block the Frenchmans shot.

Spurs could have extended their lead on the hour mark when Berbatov's finish, after Keane had flicked on Alan Huttons cross, came off the post.

The response of Boro boss Southgate was to take Grounds off for Adam Johnson. Fabio Rochemback also came on, for Julio Arca.

Alves got another sight of goal soon after and it took another brave block from Dawson to deny him.

But Boro were level with 21 minutes remaining through Downing's fortunate strike. Choosing to shoot with his unfavoured right foot, the wingers shot from 25 yards taking a deflection off Berbatov's head and going in.

Alves raced through and could have sealed it, but his finish went wide, then Gilberto had to block off the line when Tuncay Sanli shot.

Watch the match highlights from Monday, April 14

5:04pm Saturday 12th April 2008

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