TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp must have felt like England rugby coach Martin Johnson, watching his team dominate the game until a moment of indiscipline led to one of his players being dismissed from the field and resulting in two quick, decisive scores by the opposition.

That player was Wilson Palacios, who spoiled a creative performance by committing two crude fouls on David Dunn within two minutes, both of them bringing yellow cards from referee Peter Walton.

Redknapp claimed the second was a “diabolical decision” but sliding into a tackle right in front of the ref so soon after a booking comes under the brainless category. With 11 minutes remaining, Spurs ought to have been able to ride out a game they had dominated, though only leading 1-0, but while they were trying to send on a substitute, Benni McCarthy equalised for Blackburn. With a minute to go, after a brilliant save by Heurelho Gomes from Stephen Warnock, substitute Andre Ooijer scrambled in the winner from the corner.

Up until then, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate (who, remarkably, given his injury record, has played more league games than any other Spurs player this season) had been immaculate at the heart of the defence. But they fell apart along with all their teammates as Blackburn claimed the most unlikely win of the season. As Redknapp said: “I have never felt so comfortable sitting there away from home. It was game over because I couldn’t see them ever scoring. But the sending off didn’t help and it gave them a lift. They started knocking balls into our box, hoping to hit [Christopher] Samba’s head.”

To be fair to Samba, who was moved from centre-half to centre-forward when Jason Roberts went off injured at half-time, he made the equaliser with a fine pass. Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce said: “He had an excellent second half against two very good central defenders.

“It was a great, great victory and we are now the form team at the bottom end of the table.”

Spurs took the lead from the spot through the outstanding Robbie Keane after Gael Givet handled Aaron Lennon’s cross. Though Rovers complained, they had more of a case when insisting the ball was not on the spot.

In the hope that a packed, noisy Ewood Park can lift them to safety, Blackburn are offering a special package for their final three home matches, averaging out at less than £7 a game. But if they carry on producing finishes like this, those tickets will soon be finding their way on to the black market or eBay.

Star man: Christopher Samba (Blackburn)

Yellow cards: Blackburn: Samba Tottenham: Palacios Red card: Tottenham: Palacios

Referee: P Walton

Attendance: 21,891

BLACKBURN: Robinson 7, Andrews 6, Samba 8, Nelsen 7, Givet 6, Diouf 5, Mokoena 6 (Tugay 62min), Warnock 7, Pedersen 6 (Dunn 25min, 6), Roberts 6 (Ooijer 45min, 7), McCarthy 6

TOTTENHAM: Gomes 7, Corluka 6, Woodgate 7, King 7, Assou-Ekotto 6, Lennon 5 (Zokora 80min), Jenas 6, Palacios 6, Modric 6, Bent 6, Keane 8