LONDON (AFP) - Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing showed Tottenham what they are missing as his equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Downing has been a Tottenham transfer target for several seasons but the north London club have never been able to complete a deal for the England international.

He made it clear what might have been with a fine performance capped with a deflected second half strike that cancelled out Jonathan Grounds's own goal.

Middlesbrough's hard-earned point keeps them clear of the relegation dog-fight, although they still need at least another win to ensure their survival.

Gareth Southgate's side had impressed against Manchester United last week and they started brightly here.

They had the ball in the net in the second minute when Pascal Chimbonda's slip allowed Gary O'Neil down the right.

O'Neil crossed to Jeremie Aliadiere, whose shot was parried by Radek Cerny to Afonso Alves. The Brazilian tapped-in but his strike was ruled out for offside.

But Tottenham responded well and quickly had Middlesbrough on the back foot. Jermaine Jenas threatened when he ran onto Robbie Keane's flick, only for Mark Schwarzer to smother his shot.

Whenever Ramos's side work up a head of steam, it's a safe bet Dimitar Berbatov will be at the heart of the move and the Bulgarian was instrumental in their 26th minute opener.

Jenas broke the offside trap and fed Berbatov on the right flank. He flicked the ball up and volleyed over a cross that Lennon met first time, with the ball going in off Grounds' knee

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater was denied an equaliser when his firm header from a corner was nodded off the line by Lennon.

Spurs could have extended their lead when Keane flicked onto Berbatov but his shot came off a post.

That proved the turning point as Middlesbrough levelled in the 69th minute.

Downing's right footed shot from 25 yards deflected off Berbatov's head and span past Cerny.

Middlesbrough should have won it in a thrilling finale. First Alves raced through but his effort went wide. Then Tottenham defender Gilberto blocked on the line from Tuncay Sanli's shot.