Tottenham blew their chance to claim a share of the Barclays Premier League`s top spot as they were held to a draw against Wolves.

Mick McCarthy's men stunned the home side by taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Steven Fletcher poked home.

And Spurs struggled to give Wayne Hennessey a real test until the second half and it took a 20-yard strike from Luka Modric to ensure they left with a point on an underwhelming afternoon that will do little to convince their doubters that they are credible title contenders.

Tottenham could have moved level with leaders Manchester City and neighbours United with a win, but they are now likely to head in to next weekend's showdown at the Etihad Stadium five points behind the leaders, who play at Wigan on Monday.

For all the pre-match talk of Spurs being serious challengers, they played like anything but champions in the making, especially early on.

McCarthy, whose Wolves team arrived in London without a win since December 4, cut an animated figure on touchline in opening 15 minutes, but he had little reason to worry.

Modric squirted a shot wide and then had a powerful effort blocked by a posse of Wolves defenders, before he blazed over soon after.

Then, in the 22nd minute, White Hart Lane was stunned in to silence by a controversial Fletcher opener.

The visitors were awarded a dubious corner when Kyle Walker was adjudged to have touched the ball on its way out despite the full-back insisting he did not.

Brad Friedel parried Roger Johnson's header from the corner in to the path of Fletcher and he made no mistake from eight yards. It was the first goal Spurs had conceded at home in 359 minutes.

Gareth Bale stung Hennessey's hands with a low drive as Spurs looked for an immediate equaliser and Van der Vaart blazed over.