Two points lost or one point gained? The Middlesbrough fans certainly felt it was more of the former as they booed their side off the field at the Riverside but, once the dust settles, this might eventually be viewed as a decent result.

A point certainly looked unlikely at half-time, with the Teessiders trailing to Darren Bent's first Premier League goal for Tottenham and having failed to force Paul Robinson into a single save of note.

But with the impressive Gary O'Neil forcing them forward at every opportunity, Gareth Southgate's side rallied considerably after the break.

Luke Young's 25-yard thunderbolt eventually earned them a draw, the full-back scoring his first Boro goal against the side that developed him as a teenager, and Young's tenacious second-half display epitomised the fighting qualities that the Teessiders will need to display in every match between now and the end of the season.

O'Neil was tenacity personified at the heart of midfield, and Jeremie Aliadiere's movement caused problems before he was withdrawn in the latter stages.

There were negatives to consider as well - Chris Riggott, playing in place of the injured Jonathan Woodgate, failed to close down Bent as Spurs' £16m man broke the deadlock, and Stewart Downing appeared strangely subdued for most of the 90 minutes.

But this was a definite step up from most of last month's performances, even if the boos at the final whistle suggested different.