More gloom for Toon

Bent struck after 24 minutes to leave Shearer without a win in his first three games as temporary manager, and he now has five games to keep his club in the Barclays Premier League.

Spurs enhanced their own hopes of qualifying for the Europa League but had Michael Dawson carried off with a serious-looking ankle injury.

The visitors' only shot of the first half, a tame effort from Kevin Nolan, came seconds before Bent's opener.

Heurelho Gomes saved Nolan's shot and hurled the ball out to Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Luka Modric took over and angled a pass towards Robbie Keane, which was cut out by Sebastien Bassong but fell to Bent, who finished at the second attempt from a tight angle after Steve Harper had saved his initial effort.

There were worrying scenes just after the half-hour mark when Dawson landed heavily and was carried off on a stretcher with his ankle strapped up. It looked serious and Harry Redknapp got up from the dug-out to console his centre-back.

The stoppage did not break Spurs' momentum and they were fortunate not to add a second when Modric's shot deflected off Bassong on the line for Harper to claim easily.

Shearer's response was to bring on Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, with Nolan and Andy Carroll making way. The two replacements joined Michael Owen in a three-man attack.

Martins had the ball in the net with a slick finish but Mark Halsey whistled for handball against the Nigeria striker.

Then Martins went over in the penalty area with seven minutes to go under a Jonathan Woodgate challenge, but Halsey waved play on.