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 at White Hart Lane, was left disappointed at the way his side threw away a one goal lead in the capital.

Despite plenty of possession the home side were struggling to find the equaliser, after Alen Boksic had given the Teessiders 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, was suddenly a villain as he was adjudged to have brought down the Argentinean 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."

Despite the decision to award Tottenham a controversial penalty, McClaren refused to point the finger at Taricco after his over elaborate dive.

The Boro chief sympathised 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, with 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 once again impressive Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu.

The talk before the game was all about how Sheringham was on the fringes of the England squad, but neither Southgate or Ehiogu were troubled by the in-form veteran.

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

And, as were most others, the former England boss was probably foiled by McClaren's attacking intentions from the outset by fielding three up front.

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 answers he has been searching for since taking over three months ago.

And the former Manchester United No 2 is happy with the progress being made, he said: "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.

"And we are getting that and the evidence is proving that. We also have the players with the ability to do that.

"I have been pleased with all the players from day one and they are all helping me achieve what I want. Patience is the order of the day."

It was Tottenham who were the patient ones in front of their own supporters.

And the scoreline finally reflected the amount of possession shared.

First Sheringham scored the spot-kick; and then Ferdinand got in front of Robbie Stockdale to put the ball past Mark Schwarzer after Taricco's cross had been flicked on by Queudrue.

Boro pushed on to try to level matters but their two game unbeaten run came to an end.

Goals: Boksic (0-1, 9mins); Sheringham (1-1, 58 pen); Ferdinand (2-1, 21);

Bookings: None

Sent off: None

Attendance: 36, 062

Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral)

Tottenham (3-4-1-2): Sullivan 7; Perry 7, Richards 7, King 7; Taricco 8 (Thatcher 75), Anderton 7, Freund 6, Ziege 7; Poyet 6; Sheringham 6, Ferdinand 7. Subs not used: Keller (gk), Leonhardsen, Davies, Kamanan.

Middlesbrough (4-3-3): Mark Schwarzer - Once again a steady pair of hands between the sticks. 7 Franck Queudrue - An indifferent display; unlucky to concede the penalty when he was adjudged to have brought down Taricco. 5

Ugo Ehiogu - Won most things in the air and nearly scored with a volley. 7

Gareth Southgate - Did not put a foot wrong. 8

Robbie Stockdale - Was able to keep Ziege relatively at bay. 6 (Dean Windass 76)

Jonathan Greening - Decent first half but looked tired after the interval. 6

Robbie Mustoe - Worked hard throughout. 6 (Allan Johnston 83)

Paul Ince - His good form continued with another battling performance. 7

Carlos Marinelli - When he ran at the Spurs defence he caused some panic, needed to do more of that though. 7

Alen Boksic - Great volley to open the scoring but should have been involved more. 7

Szilard Nemeth - Some positive touches but again was never really a major threat in the match. 6 (Colin Cooper 64) - Adapted well to the pace when he came on. 6

Subs not used: Crossley, Wilson.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Gareth Southgate - Outstanding again. Marginally better than his partner at the back Ugo Ehiogu

Read more about Boro here.