AN Aaron Lennon inspired Tottenham heaped more misery on Rovers as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane.

After a bright start from the visitors it was the England under 21 winger who took centre stage, teeing up Roman Pavlyuchenko to score the only goal of the game on nine minutes and then ran Rovers ragged for spells in the first half.

It was Martin Olsson who was given a rough ride by Lennon, the Swede sent off for the first time in his professional career, seeing yellow on two occasions for bringing the lively winger down seven minutes before the end of the first half.

But had Benni McCarthy converted a cross from Olsson at the midway point of the half, the outcome could have been so different.

Roque Santa Cruz had an excellent chance to level just after the restart, whilst Brett Emerton saw an effort deflected into the side netting.

Tottenham had chances of their own in the second half through Woodgate and Campbell, but with a congested midfield, opportunities were few and far between.

Paul Robinson outshone Heurelho Gomes in the battle of the goalkeepers, one outstanding save to deny Lennon in the first half a particular highlight, but Ince will have been concerned that after a bright start his side failed to test the frail Tottenham stopper.

Paul Ince was able to welcome back key players for the match, captain Ryan Nelsen, Brett Emerton, Benni McCarthy and Martin Olsson all returned to the starting line-up as the Rovers boss made four changes from the side that started against Sunderland a week ago. Out of the side went Stephen Warnock through suspension, Zurab Khizanishvili due to illness, whilst Jason Roberts and Danny Simpson dropped to the bench.

The spotlight in the build-up to the game had been focused on goalkeepers Gomes and Robinson, and just six minutes in the Tottenham 'keeper almost gifted Rovers the lead. A Morten Gamst Pedersen corner kick was whipped into the six-yard box, but the Brazilian failed to hold, only a last-ditch challenge from Vedran Corluka prevented Chris Samba from putting the loose ball into the back of the net.

Two minutes later and Gomes was tested again as Olsson, Santa Cruz and Pedersen exchanged passes. It was Pedersen who struck goalwards right-footed but Spurs' stopper was in the right place to hold the shot.

But less than sixty seconds later Rovers found themselves a goal down and it was all of their own making. Martin Olsson losing possession to Aaron Lennon on the touchline and that allowed the England winger to charge into the area before teeing up Roman Pavlyuchenko to sweep the ball home from close-range.

The head of steam Rovers had built up early on quickly evaporated, Jenas drove at the Rovers defence before shooting wide, then from a David Bentley free-kick Pavlyuchenko headed against the foot of the post, a linesman's flag coming to the visiting side's rescue as Bent looked to pounce.

Jonathan Woodgate defended brilliantly to stop Benni McCarthy levelling after Brett Emerton had lifted the ball over the advancing Gomes. The former Middlesbrough man just getting to the ball top stop the Rovers striker from heading into an unguarded net.

Just past the midway point of the half another chance went begging, Olsson's curling centre found McCarthy twelve yards out but the South African some how fired over the cross bar.

Whilst the wasted chances were causing concern at one end, Aaron Lennon was running Rovers ragged at the other. Martin Olsson picking up a yellow card after two fouls on the England under 21 star in quick succession.

But Rovers did continue to create chances, a Brett Emerton free-kick from the left only required the merest of touches from Samba and the scores would have been level, it didn't come and Gomes claimed the ball.

But the chances of Paul Ince's side getting back on level terms were dealt a severe blow six minutes from the break when Olsson picked up his second yellow card for another foul on Lennon. The young Swede's disastrous afternoon brought to a premature end.

Lennon continued to be Spurs' main thrust forward, only a sensational one-handed save from Robinson stopped the home side from doubling their lead just before the break. The stop warmly received by both sets of supporters.

Benni McCarthy was sacrificed at the break as Danny Simpson was brought on to fill in for the departed Olsson, but despite Rovers' attacking options being reduced it was they who created a fantastic chance two minutes after the restart.

A ball from Brett Emerton into the area was glanced goalwards by Roque Santa Cruz, but again that finishing touch was lacking as Gomes claimed comfortably.

A swift break on 50 minutes almost paid dividends when Keith Andrews played an intelligent ball in for Brett Emerton in the area, as he crossed the ball deflected towards goal but the ball nestles into the side netting.

Man mountain Tom Huddlestone went close two efforts in two minutes, the second a delightful curling effort from the corner of the area that flew just over the corner of post and bar.

Roque Santa Cruz worked tirelessly up front on his own, but without the support from the midfielders when he did receive the ball there was often little on for the striker.

David Bentley had a relatively quiet game in facing his former club, but two crosses into the box almost lead to further goals for the home side, thankfully Jonathan Woodgate and Fraizer Campbell were as wasteful as Rovers in front of goal.

Morten Gamst Pedersen hit a half-volley wide following a knockdown by Santa Cruz. But despite Ince throwing on Matt Derbyshire and Keith Treacy in the latter stages to add some pace to Rovers' attacks, aside from a cheeky flick from Roque Santa Cruz in the final minute of regulation time, Gomes in the Tottenham goal had a quiet second half.

The result means Rovers slip a place in the league table and face another tough match on their travels next weekend when they return south to face Portsmouth.

TOTTENHAM: Gomez, Corluka, Woodgate, King (c), Assou-Ekotto, Bentley (sub O'Hara 86 mins), Jenas, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko (sub Campbell 75 mins), Bent.

Subs not used: Sanchez, Bale, Zokora, Gunter, Dawson.

ROVERS: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Olsson, Pedersen (sub Treacy 81 mins), Mokoena, Andrews, Emerton (sub Derbyshire 71 mins), McCarthy (sub Simpson 46 mins), Santa Cruz.

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Tugay, Fowler, Roberts

Booked: Bentley, Jenas (Tottenham), Olsson, Ooijer, Andrews (Rovers).

Off: Olsson (Rovers)

Attendance: 35,903