Tottenham spurned the chance to go sixth in the Barclaycard Premiership against a Fulham side who played with 10 men from the 38th minute when goalkeeper Maik Taylor was sent off after conceding a penalty.

And after Spurs' Darren Anderton was also sent packing by referee Graham Barber with 18 minutes to go, the home side flirted dangerously with the prospect of a humiliating defeat when Fulham claimed a spot-kick of their own as Luis Boa Morte's shot struck the arm of Dean Richards in the closing seconds.

This time referee Barber waved the appeals away, but the point gained could well be vital for Fulham in their fight for top-flight survival. And on this gallant display they will deserve to do it.

In what was often a bizarre spectacle Fulham were a gift goal up before being reduced to 10 men seven minutes from the break when Taylor was red-carded for pulling down Simon Davies, an instinctive action which opened the way for Teddy Sheringham to net a penalty and put Spurs level.

But the visitors, playing their third game in nine days and facing a fifth round FA Cup replay at Burnley on Wednesday, battled gamely to frustrate Spurs in the second half.

They have not won a league game at White Hart Lane in 55 years but after Anderton had been dismissed for a second yellow card in four minutes, Jean Tigana's side looked the more likely winners.

Spurs had not played at all for 16 days but with six first-teamers including hot-shot Robbie Keane sidelined by injuries, they looked distinctly rusty.

Replacement Gary Doherty and Slovenian midfielder Milenko Acimovic, who came on as a substitute, looked hopelessly off the pace and missed a series of chances.

Sheringham, who registered his 300th goal the last time Spurs were in action at White Hart lane 16 days ago, should have set out on another triple-century after just four minutes but made a complete hash of a free header from Anderton's cross.

It all seemed set up on a plate for Spurs when Fulham, already without centre-backs Alain Goma and Andy Melville through injury and suspension, lost Martin Djetou early on when he was carried off on stretcher with a facial wound.

Yet generous Spurs decided to make it difficult for themselves by handing out an own goal - courtesy of King who diverted Boa Morte's cross beyond Keller after a penetrating run by Boa Morte.

Within minutes, Marlet had also left the field injured and Tottenham stepped up their attacks with Sheringham testing Taylor with a much better downward header from Steve Carr's long cross before tumbling under substitute Zat Knight's clumsy challenge for what looked a nailed-on penalty in the 27th minute.

Barber dismissed their claims and awarded a goal kick - much to the home fans' disgust and with Tottenham's pressure decidedly of the huff-and-puff variety, Fulham rode their luck with Taylor producing two good saves in four minutes.

First he flew high to tip over Anderton's powerful half-volley from 20 yards and then stretched to palm the luckless King's header against the underside of the bar.

But three minutes later Fulham's luck, and particularly Taylor's, ran out in a big way.

Davies, sent clear by Anderton, rounded Taylor but was hauled down - although the keeper got a touch on the ball. Sheringham beat substitute keeper Martin Herrera from the spot.

Fulham had to withdraw Argentinian striker Facundo Sava to accommodate his 33-year-old compatriot - yet Herrera, who played in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final for Alaves against Liverpool, was barely tested before Anderton's dismissal made it 10-a-side.

Acimovic, the Slovenian midfielder who replaced Gus Poyet just before the home side's equaliser, squandered a hat-trick of opportunities - two of them from inside the six-yard box, one in front of an open goal from 20 yards out - and was eventually replaced by Matthew Etherington.

And it was another Fulham sub, Louis Saha who provided the best moments of the second period in his tireless role as lone striker. Twice he brought saves from Keller before crashing a 75th minute effort against the crossbar.