Ridgewell strikes late to deny Spurs

Liam Ridgewell scored a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Birmingham and put a dent into Tottenham's Champions League hopes.

Jermain Defoe had put Spurs on course for a double over Blues, who were looking to avoid their second defeat in four days.

But Ridgewell popped up in the dying moments to rescue a share of the spoils for the home side.

Blues leading scorer Lee Bowyer had a good chance to open the scoring after four minutes. Christian Benitez before played the ball into the path of the midfielder but Bowyer did not make a full contact with his low drive and Heurelho Gomes was able to save.

A mistake by Bowyer almost proved costly after his loose pass was seized on by David Bentley. His shot was blocked by Ridgewell but the rebound fell to Luka Modric who screwed his shot past the far post.

Birmingham squandered another good opening on the counter-attack with Benitez firing straight at Gomes after turning inside Michael Dawson.

Tottenham began the second half on the offensive and Joe Hart had to smother a shot from Bentley 12 yards out.

Peter Crouch missed Spurs' best chance of the game so far after 52 minutes. Defoe was released by Wilson Palacios and then slightly miscontrolled the ball, but it fell to Crouch who stabbed wide.

Tottenham scored in the 69th minute when Gareth Bale's centre was flicked on by Crouch - and Defoe did the rest from close range.

But then in injury time Ridgewell equalised for City after Jerome had headed a McFadden centre back across goal.