ROVERS' European hopes took another dent as they could only claim a point against a lively Tottenham side at Ewood Park.
Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring for the visitors just seven minutes into the game as Juande Ramos' side dominated the opening exchanged so it was against the run of play when Morten Gamst Pedersen drove home after Bentley's perfect cross.
Santa Cruz went close before the break, but in the second half chances were few and far between.
Berbatov and Malbranque saw shots saved by Friedel whilst Cerny was equally accomplished in the other goal to deny Santa Cruz and Bentley to leave the game level and Rovers' second consecutive draw.
After last week's goalless draw away at Reading, Mark Hughes made two changes to the starting eleven, having served his one-match suspension, Christopher Samba returned to partner Ryan Nelsen at the back, Zurab Khizanishvili the unfortunate man to make way.
The other change meant a debut for new signing Johann Vogel, a sore knee to David Dunn meant an Ewood bow for the Swiss international.
Rovers were slow out of the blocks but were handed a chance within the first five minutes to open the scoring, Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny, in for the injured Paul Robinson, raced out of his area to clear the ball only for it to be blocked by David Bentley, the ball bounced to Andre Ooijer out on the right who immediately sent the ball high into the area, but Roque Santa Cruz was unable to win the ball and the chance was gone.
Tottenham responded immediately and scored an impressive opening goal on seven minutes, slick passing between Lennon, Chimbonda and Malbranque saw the ball released into the area for Jermaine Jenas, the England midfielder remained onside and so was Dimitar Berbatov who latched onto the square pass to tap home at the back post.
Rovers couldn't make any headway in the game, the variety in Tottenham's play leaving the home side chasing shadows at times, Berbatov had a chance to grab his and Spurs' second on 19 when he raced through onto a Jenas pass, but Friedel made himself big, closed down the angles and blocked the Bulgarian's shot.
It took until the 22nd minute for Rovers to register an effort at goal, Morten Gamst Pedersen with a quick turn in the area but he shot straight at Cerny.
Mark Hughes looked on unimpressed from the sidelines as the visitors continued to dominate possession, Rovers unable to get their passing game going, Vogel struggling to get to grips with the game in midfield.
But it was from his partner in midfield, Steven Reid, that Rovers were able to grab an unlikely leveller, the Republic of Ireland international spread the ball wide to the right with a cross field pass, David Bentley beat Chimbonda and cut into the area before squaring for Pedersen to side-foot home from ten yards out.
A minute later and Rovers almost turned the game on its head, a long ball upfield was flicked on by Roque Santa Cruz to Jason Roberts, he fed the ball back to the Paraguayan, but left-footed he shot straight down the throat of Cerny.
Boosted by the goal Rovers started to look like their old selves, David Bentley showing a trick or two to bemuse the Spurs defenders in close attendance on the right, but unfortunately his crosses couldn't be capitalised upon.
Like the start of the half, the final chance fell to Rovers, David Bentley with a 35 yard free-kick, but Cerny plucked the ball from the top corner.
Mark Hughes made an immediate change at the start of the second half, Brett Emerton returning after missing the last two games through a groin injury, Andre Ooijer making way.
But it was the visitors who had an early effort on target, Berbatov with a snap-shot, Friedel claiming it at the second attempt.
As the game progressed debutant Johann Vogel started to get to grips with life in the Premier League, although a high effort into the stands won't live long in the memory.
The former Real Betis midfielder almost made amends a minute later when he cleverly fed the ball through to Jason Roberts, but Cerny saved his effort at the near post.
As the half wore on the game finally started to open up, but it was Rovers who were back-pedaling as a quick break saw Malbranque test Friedel with a shot from the edge of the area, whilst Keane and Berbatov almost laid on killer balls for Lennon and Keane respectively, the latter to be denied by a fine sliding challenge from Ryan Nelsen
Juande Ramos brought on Gilberto and Huddlestone, whilst Benni McCarthy came on with goalscorer Pedersen making way. The Stephen Warnock picked up his ninth yellow card of the season meaning he'll be walking a suspension tightrope next weekend away at his former club Liverpool.
David Bentley had penalty claims waved away by referee Peter Walton after juggling with the ball past two defenders, he was stopped just inside the area by sub Gilberto, but nothing was given.
Moments later Roberts was clipped by Lennon, but from 20 yards out, Cerny once again equal to Bentley's efforts, the Czech pouncing to his right to claim the shot.
Darren Bent perhaps could have done better with a flick towards goal from after Alan Hutton's ball upfield, but in time added on it was Rovers who were camped in the opposition area.
A forceful run from Roque Santa Cruz deserved better, the Rovers front-man somehow tricking his way past three yellow-shirted defenders but Cerny dived low at his feet to block the save.
With Aston Villa winning their match it means the draw is another two points dropped, the side from the Midlands going back above Rovers in the table.
ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer (sub Emerton 46 mins), Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Bentley, Reid (sub Mokoena 86 mins), Vogel, Pedersen (sub McCarthy 73 mins), Roberts, Santa Cruz.
Subs not used: Brown (GK), Derbyshire.
TOTTENHAM: Cerny, Chimbonda (sub Gilberto 72 mins), Zokora, Jenas, Berbatov, Keane (c) (sub Bent 78 mins), Malbranque (sub Huddlestone 72 mins), Dawson, Lennon, Hutton, Woodgate.
Subs: Forecast (GK), Tainio.
Booked: Santa Cruz, Warnock, Samba (Rovers), Zokora (Tottenham)
Attendance: 24,592
Peter Jackson Man-of-the-match award: Ryan Nelsen.
