NORTH EAST born Andy Sinton struck a hammerblow in Middlesbrough's survival hopes as Bryan Robson's men stared deeper into the relegation abyss. Middlesbrough had made light of their punishing schedule by dominating large portions of a game played just 48 hours after they beat Chesterfield to reach the FA Cup Final.

But despite a terrific performance by Juninho the inspired Ian Walker threw himself all over the place to keep out everything Robson's troops could fire at him.

And 19 minutes from time Sinton plunged in the dagger that leaves Middlesbrough above only virtually doomed Nottingham Forest and facing the prospect of dragging their weary limbs through four games in the last nine days of the season to stay in the big time.

The goal came when Justin Edinburgh floated in from deep on the left. Teddy Sheringham jumped on the egde of the box to nod towards the six yard box, with Jason Dozzell's touch taking the ball to Sinton. Ben Roberts almost got there but could not prevent Sinton scrambling his sixth of the season over the line from a couple of yards.

It was harsh on Middleshrough, although Robson would surely have demanded mole of Fabrizie Ravanelli, ineffective throughout and who trudged straight down the tunnel after being taken of with nine minutes left.

While Tottenham had little to play for, they had the visitor rocking in an impressive start Roberts, keeping his place in goal although Mark Schwarzer was on the bench, got away with a couple of nervous fumbles early on before Middlesbrough had a real escape in the 23rd minute, when Sinton's right wing corner was met by a thumping Sol Campbell header, the ball crashing down off the bar.

But then the visitors stepped up the pace. Juninho was first to try Walker's reflexes out, the keeper going down to his right to smother and then, after Robbie Mustoe had squandered an opening, Walker really excelled himself.

The first save, to keep out Blackmore's vicious drive, was international class, and the two which followed, first a tip over from, Juninho and then a dive, low to his right after the Brazilian's corner found Emerson's head, were even better.

They began the second half brightly as well, Emerson denied again before Walker dashed off his line to, foil Beck after the jinking Juninho had put him in and Tottenham were the ones hanging on, that was until Sinton stole in to nick the points.