AN UNBELIEVABLE result like this could do untold damage to Sunderland's credibility in the eyes of supporters desperate to win the prestige of playing in Europe.

Two-nil up at half time against arguably the worst Spurs team I have seen on Wearside in over 40 years, Peter Reid's men were rightly expected to hammer home their advantage, tie up the three points and improve their goal difference.

But the unthinkable happened - they lost their grip on the reins and allowed the Londoners to regroup and fight their way back into a game which should have been simply beyond their reach.

No wonder Reid blew his top at the end - and no wonder incredulous home fans howled their displeasure at the manager and the players at the end of a sickening reversal.

The Stadium of Light has been a virtual fortress to all but the top teams - only champions Manchester United and fast-improving Leeds United had left victorious in Premiership clashes this season.

Spurs certainly don't fall into that category, and their first half showing was, to put it mildly, abysmal. Who could have thought that Sunderland would blow it?

But blow it they did in an astonishing turn-around which no-one could have contemplated as out-played Spurs trooped off at half time fearing a scorching reception in the dressing room from new manager Glenn Hoddle.

For indeed there could have been few complaints about Sunderland's first half performance, one of their best of the season.

Everything about the side looked right - there was a lovely, confident approach from players clearly believing in their ability to attack with a fluency which would inevitably be rewarded with goals.

After just three minutes Irish winger Kevin Kilbane was swamped with congratulations and saluted by the fans who haven't been too impressed by his recent form, for a cool and efficient far-post finish from French full-back Patrice Carteron's centre.

Ten minutes later big Niall Quinn showed he had lost none of his appetite in front of goal during a month-long injury lay-off when he snapped up a chance after goalkeeper Neil Sullivan could only parry a vicious low free-kick from Swede Stefan Schwarz.

Tottenham fans, already saddened by a daunting injury list to some of their best players, must have groaned in disbelief when centre-back Lesley King, suffering from severe concussion after an accidental clash of heads with Kilbane, had to be substituted - and Sunderland supporters licked their lips in anticipation of a goal feast as his replacement, Anthony Gardner, did not look at all sure of himself.

Sunderland were totally in charge against a team which had not managed a single shot at goal - on or off target - and appeared totally clueless.

Certainly no-one could have expected the kind of transformation which was about to unfold after the break.

Hoddle proceeded to re-shape his team and the introduction of Dutchman Willem Korsten produced a vast improvement in a midfield which earlier could not match the enterprise and vision of Scottish international Don Hutchison.

But the turning point was a bonny goal in the 53rd minute, a fluent build-up which allowed wing-back Stephen Clemence the chance to fire the ball home - and fire up his team-mates.

Suddenly Sunderland didn't look so assured of themselves, and a seering 25 yarder from Clemence almost caught goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen by surprise, silencing the home fans and inspiring the now vociferous away following.

Sullivan responded with a fine, one-handed save when the tricky Julio Arca cracked in a low shot, and Spurs, with their tails up, could obviously smell salvation in the air.

Sorensen had to make a superb save to hold a vicious drive from Korsten and a couple of minutes later Spurs did what they had been threatening to do and grabbed an equaliser from Republic of Ireland international Gary Doherty.

Tottenham skipper Tim Sherwood, the driving force behind the revival, headed the ball forward to Doherty, who out-paced Brazilian Emerson Thome to fire home.

Even then no-one in the 48,029 crowd could really have expected Sunderland to throw it away.

But two minutes from time Sunderland's ship foundered and was finally sunk by emergency striker Doherty, who took advantage of a horrible mix-up in front of the Sunderland goal to stab the ball home.

It was a result which appeared totally out of the question at half time. But Sunderland had only themselves to blame for allowing their opponents to scratch their way back into a game which should have been beyond them