Szilard Nemeth came off the bench to save record signing Massimo Maccarone's skin as Middlesbrough clawed their way past Tottenham.

The Slovakian struck with his sixth goal of the season 16 minutes from time to clinch three Barclaycard Premiership points after seeing the Italian fail to beat Kasey Keller with a penalty on the hour and Joseph-Desire Job waste a golden opportunity to fire his side ahead.

Nemeth's intervention came as a huge relief to the home sections of a 31,789-strong crowd just as it looked as though his side's propensity to miss out at the Riverside Stadium would cost them dearly once again.

The victory was only the Carling Cup holders' fourth of the league season at home and took their points tally in their own back yard to 16, two fewer than they have managed on their travels.

But they were just about worth it after they produced a better second-half display following a dreadful opening 45 minutes during which only an excellent save from Mark Schwarzer denied Darren Anderton the opening goal.

Boro, who paraded the first trophy in their 128-year history through the town on Sunday, would gladly have accepted a repeat of the start they had against Bolton at the Millennium Stadium when they raced into a 2-0 lead within seven minutes of the kick-off.

And with Spurs arriving at the Riverside in the midst of an horrific bout of footballing schizophrenia which had seen them score no fewer than 15 goals in their previous four games but concede 13, hopes may well have been high among the Teesside faithful.

However, what unfolded before their eyes was an error-strewn, lifeless first-half during which goalkeepers Schwarzer and Keller were virtual spectators.

It was to the Australian's credit, therefore, that when he was called upon for the first time nine minutes before the break, he pulled off a fine one-handed save to keep out Anderton's crisply-struck volley from a Johnnie Jackson corner.

Boro boss Steve McClaren will have hoped for the kind of individual displays from big-name players Juninho, Gaizka Mendieta and Bolo Zenden which propelled them to cup final glory, but what he got instead was disjointed, insipid and uninspired.

The Teessiders flickered briefly around the halfway point of the opening 45 minutes when Zenden tested Keller with a free-kick which was intended as a cross but almost crept into the top corner, and Mendieta later created a shooting chance for the Dutchman, but Dean Richards got his sizeable frame in the way to block before he could do any damage.

Spurs created little more despite an uncharacteristically edgy defensive performance by the home side with Andrew Davies, in for the suspended Danny Mills, particularly culpable, and they were indebted to a resilient display by Ugo Ehiogu.

That said, apart from a dipping Jermain Defoe volley which comfortably cleared Schwarzer's crossbar, they too managed nothing of note before Anderton's speculative effort, although they finished the half marginally in the ascendancy.

McClaren knew a radical solution was required and as well as replacing the unfortunate Davies with specialist full-back Stuart Parnaby at the break, he sent on Maccarone in place of midfielder Doriva and opted for a 4-3-3 formation.

Boro instantly looked more dangerous and Keller was forced to tip a rising 47th-minute shot from Juninho over after Mendieta and Maccarone had combined on the edge of the Spurs box.

But the visitors were not done and they tested Schwarzer twice in quick succession with Michael Brown and then Mauricio Taricco taking aim from distance to force solid saves from the Australian.

Zenden kept Keller on his toes which a bobbling 58th-minute drive, but Boro should have surged ahead and wrapped up the points.

Referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot on the hour after Job had gone down under Dean Richards' challenge, but Maccarone could not beat Keller, who dived to his right to save.

And with 64 minutes gone, Job found himself in on goal after Richards failed to cut out Juninho's cross, but prodded his effort wide of the post.

McClaren replaced Job with Nemeth on 68 minutes, and the Slovakian needed just six minutes to make his mark.

Maccarone dummied Franck Queudrue's firmly-struck pass to allow his strike partner to hold off Richards before rounding Keller and firing into the empty net to open the scoring.

Robbie Keane blasted a left-foot shot just wide nine minutes from time and substitute Helder Postiga squandered a late chance as Boro limped gratefully to the finishing line.

Teams

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Davies (Parnaby 45), Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Mendieta, Boateng, Doriva (Maccarone 45), Zenden, Juninho Paulista, Job (Nemeth 68).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott.

Goals: Nemeth 73.

Tottenham Keller, Carr, Gardner, Richards, Taricco, Anderton (Postiga 86), Brown (Poyet 80), King, Jackson (Dalmat 64), Keane, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Burch, Doherty.

Booked: Brown, Carr.

Att: 31,789

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).