Bungling Spurs gifts Reading draw and makes life tough for Berbatov

The Bulgaria striker augmented his own reputation, and probably his transfer window price, with two goals which should have been enough to win this match.

Dodgy: Paul Robinson form has been questionable

But on Fabio Capello's first weekend in this country, his highlights DVD will feature two mistakes from the artiste formerly known as England's No 1 and the senseless sending-off of international wannabe Huddlestone.

Robinson's second error was the less glaring but the more costly,a weak parry which allowed Stephen Hunt to equalise and brought back bad memories of Moscow. But he had neither a defender nor a Zagreb divot to blame for the excruciating own-goal which gifted Reading's second-string the lead.

This match was always going to struggle to live up to Tottenham's memorable 6-4 win over the same opponents a week earlier but no one in the crowd nor, you suspect, Signor Capello, will forget Robinson's moment of madness in a hurry.

The home goalkeeper had not had a save to make before Hunt lined up a 25th-minute free-kick more than 30 yards out near Reading's right-hand touchline and seemed to be in control of the overhit delivery, jumping to catch the ball cleanly.

But as Robinson returned to earth,with Andre Bikey posing only a token threat, he inexplicably stepped back over the line and carried the ball with him.By the time he realised his error and threw the ball away, the assistant referee's flag had signalled a goal.

With the lack of protests suggesting it had indeed crossed the line,the obituaries for Robinson's international career were being dusted off once more. "England's No 1," came the mocking chorus from the previously quiet away fans.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos was more charitable when asked what he thought Capello would make of it all.

"It's up to Capello to say what he feels on that subject," said Ramos, who insisted it was teams, not individuals, who ultimately conceded goals. "I don't think he's going to judge any player on his performance in one game but on his characteristics as a whole."

But this was just the latest match in which the qualities which once made Robinson an automatic choice for England seemed to have deserted him.

It was just as well for Tottenham and Berbatov that Reading, who had been in front three times the previous week,once more failed to hold a lead.

Berbatov's rasping shot brought the scores level within three minutes, and Tottenham should have been in the clear by half-time, with Jermaine Jenas twice bursting through only for unconvincing finishes to allow Adam Federici to make two good saves. Such profligacy seemed unlikely to be costly when Berbatov converted a penalty early in the second half after Robbie Keane was fouled by Liam Rosenior.

Spurs missed chances to seal the game but Reading never looked like causing any further embarrassment until the 78th minute when Leroy Lita burst into the inside left channel and sent in a shot on target. Robinson stopped it but could not hold on to the ball, which Hunt forced in from a narrow angle.

For all Tottenham's defensive incompetence, Reading deserve credit for being in a position to earn a replay on Tuesday week. Dave Kitson, who was not even in the 16,may not give two, er, hoots, about the FA Cup, but a side showing eight changes from the 10-goal thriller a week before played with the commitment,if not the attacking intent, of a team that cared.

Manager Steve Coppell, whose innovative 3-4-2-1 formation frustrated Tottenham for long periods, said: "I've got 20-odd men who I consider to be part of the first team squad,to be used at any time. They needed to show they were all up to speed, and they did so in the best possible way, via their commitment.

"If we get the semis or the final, I will pick the same team. But I might wake up before then."

Reading were the ones dreaming of a win after the equaliser, especially when Huddlestone, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, decided it would be a good idea to aim a headbutt at Bobby Convey and was sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg.

A penny for your thoughts, Mr Berbatov,at that moment. But his talents will apparently cost £30million, so he may have to suffer more days like this.