Maik Taylor produced two stunning late saves to deny Tottenham their first Premiership away win of 2005 and earn his side a fortunate point.

The Northern Ireland number one had been in stunning form for his country in the World Cup qualifiers with England and Poland.

And he showed his class again with a brace of stunning stops to thwart Spurs substitute Mido and then Fredi Kanoute.

Blues boss Steve Bruce gambled on bringing Jermaine Pennant straight back into the starting line-up after being released from prison.

But the on-loan Arsenal player and fellow winger Stan Lazaridis, who had only returned from a 27-hour flight from Australia on Friday, were understandably both off the pace.

Without their inspiration, Blues struggled to make an impact and Bruce will be delighted to have ground out a share of the spoils.

Too many of his players looked jaded against a Spurs side who posed more of a threat in midfield via Andy Reid and Michael Carrick.

Birmingham needed skipper Kenny Cunningham, Matthew Upson and Jamie Clapham to be at their most resolute to cope with Frederic Kanoute and Jermain Defoe.

Pennant was predictably booed by the Tottenham fans every time he touched the ball given his Arsenal connections.

Walter Pandiani had an early opportunity after Emile Heskey had turned the ball back across goal but he was unable to keep down his left-footed shot and it was Tottenham who looked the more menacing.

The lively Kanoute almost created an opening for himself after a darting run but he was crowded out by Kenny Cunningham and Clapham.

Clapham came to Birmingham's rescue after 11 minutes when he cleared a Defoe far-post header off the line from Kanoute's deep right-wing cross and Michael Brown volleyed the loose ball over the top.

Spurs were forced into a change after 14 minutes when Noe Pamarot was carried off after being injured in a touchline clash with Lazaridis and the right-back was replaced by Stephen Kelly.

Heskey caused initial problems for Spurs and curled one low drive past the far post after exchanging passes with Pennant but Spurs were bossing the game.

Clapham made another important block to deny Defoe and Andy Reid had a curling shot deflected inches wide.

Reid was looking sharp in midfield and Taylor was forced to save away to his right from the former Nottingham Forest player after he had exchanged passes with Kelly.

Defoe was only just too high with a powerful drive on the turn from 15 yards just after the half-hour mark.

Pandiani was having a game to forget up front for Blues, often giving possession away, but the whole of his side were struggling to discover any kind of rhythm.

Spurs manager Martin Jol made a second substitution seven minutes before the interval with Retto Ziegler making way for Sean Davis.

Bruce would have been looking for his side to show more urgency in the second half than in the opening 45 minutes when too many players were off the pace.

They finally managed to put together a move worthy of the name with Damien Johnson, Pennant and Mario Melchiot involved but no-one was able to apply a finishing touch to the hard-driven cross from the former Chelsea player.

Lazaridis had a shot deflected for a corner before a tired-looking Pennant came off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Julian Gray.

Then after 58 minutes Tottenham went ahead through a first-ever goal from substitute Kelly.

Carrick supplied a telling pass for the Republic of Ireland international to run onto and he drilled a low shot past Taylor into the far corner of the net.

Birmingham tried to retaliate and Upson got on the end of a Clapham free-kick but sent his header straight at Robinson.

Pandiani had the chance to make amends for a disappointing game but he headed wide from a Gray centre.

But after 66 minutes the Uruguayan set up the equaliser for Darren Carter who burst through two challenges before slipping the ball wide of Robinson.

Blues needed Taylor to make two great saves to prevent Tottenham from regaining the lead in the closing stages.

First the Northern Ireland number one kept out a powerful header from substitute Mido at full stretch.

Then within a minute Taylor did even better to deny Kanoute with a reflex save from only eight yards out.

Birmingham substitute Clinton Morrison could have won the game in injury-time but he hooked his close range effort wide.

Teams

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant (Gray 56), Johnson, Carter, Lazaridis (Nafti 71), Pandiani (Morrison 67), Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Blake, Vaesen.

Goals: Carter 66.

Tottenham Robinson, Pamarot (Kelly 13), King, Naybet (Mido 71), Edman, Reid, Carrick, Brown, Ziegler (Davis 38), Kanoute, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Keane, Cerny.

Booked: Brown.

Goals: Kelly 59.

Att: 29,304

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).