By Jonathan Stevenson

Berbatov's penalty earned Spurs a place in the Uefa Cup's last 32

Spurs qualified for the knockout stage of the Uefa Cup after coming from behind to draw against Anderlecht.

After an insipid first half the game sprang to life after the break, Bart Goor putting Anderlecht ahead following a defensive mistake from Spurs.

But the visitors levelled when Jermaine Jenas was brought down in the box and Dimitar Berbatov scored from the spot.

The game was marred in the dying stages as Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

Interview: Tottenham assistant manager Guy Poyet

Victory means Spurs have European football to look forward to in 2008 and they can now concentrate on improving their disastrous Premier League record.

In the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels it was a classic game of two halves - and the first 45 minutes was a shocker.

Neither side got out of neutral as time after time the ball was given away cheaply and any potential attack quickly fizzled out.

606: DEBATE It was a hard ground to go to in poor conditions but we're in the last 32 so all in all I'm happy Belfast Spurs

Anderlecht were looking marginally the better side, but Mbo Mpenza's touch was too heavy to control a defence-splitting pass from the impressive Olivier Deschacht at left-back.

Spurs replied with two shots from distance - a wasted 40-yard free-kick blazed over by the disappointing Tom Huddlestone and a 30-yard drive from Jenas that Zitka saved easily.

Just before the break Paul Robinson was finally forced into action, first saving Marcin Wasilweski's shot and then bravely blocking Nico Frutos' follow-up effort.

When the teams came back out, the game had an energy it was so badly lacking before the break.

Almost straight from the whistle, Pascal Chimbonda raced down the right and found Robbie Keane in the box, the Spurs skipper seeing his shot expertly parried away by Zitka.

At the other end, Frutos flicked the ball past Dawson and raced on to the ball but, instead of shooting with his left foot, he clipped it with the outside of his right and Robinson was able to block.

Mpenza then surged into the Spurs area but, just as he was about to pull the trigger, makeshift centre-back Zokora made a timely intervention.

In the space of two minutes, this Uefa Cup Group G tie burst into life.

Anderlecht took a deserved lead when Mpenza volleyed the ball across the Spurs box and Michael Dawson and Jenas both left the ball to each other, Goor taking advantage to slot home.

Only 107 seconds later it was level when Jelle van Damme brought down Jenas as he went clean through and Berbatov kept his composure to coolly slot home the penalty.

It was now anyone's game.

Robinson dived to keep out Cyril Thereau's shot before Spurs brought on Jermain Defoe, who nearly won it with two late efforts but was denied by Daniel Zitka saves

"He might not score if the keeper makes a great save, but he'll never miss through nerves.

"It was an odd game, the first half was too calm, but we tried to win it after the break. We were determined to get something out of it and we did that."

Anderlecht: Zitka, Wasilewski, Juhasz, Van Damme, Deschacht, Hassan, Biglia, Polak, Goor, Mpenza (Baseggio 72), Frutos (Thereau 55).
Subs Not Used: Proto, Sare, Triguinho, De Man.

Booked: Polak, Goor, Wasilewski, Hassan.

Goals: Goor 68.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Zokora, Lee (Stalteri 81), Lennon, Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Keane (Berbatov 59), Bent (Defoe 72).
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Tainio, Boateng, Taarabt.

Booked: Jenas, Zokora.

Goals: Berbatov 71 pen.

Att: 22,500.