Dawson was the senior centre-back of a makeshift defence but his error led to the opener at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.

Defeat would have left Juande Ramos’ men looking for help elsewhere in Group G for them to progress, but Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot after coming off the bench.

Ramos is looking for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups after winning with Sevilla in the previous two years, although Spurs were unconvincing and plenty of work is needed if they are to reach the final at Manchester City’s Eastlands ground at the end of the season.

Tonight’s clash was a repeat of the 1984 final when Spurs won on penalties.

Both teams were struggling domestically, with the Belgians falling behind the pace in their league and Spurs showing relegation form.

The respective lack of confidence was illustrated by a first half short on opportunities and excitement, not helped by constant rain in the Belgian capital for the previous two days.

Younes Kaboul’s recent errors cost him a place in the squad and Anderlecht were attempting to penetrate a defence which had midfielder Didier Zokora at centre-back.

At least Spurs initially looked a little tighter at the back without the clumsy young Frenchman alongside Dawson, although it was Dawson who was later at fault.

Anderlecht were limited to half chances in the first half – but so too were Spurs.

Steed Malbranque had an overhead effort drift wide, while Robbie Keane would have been on goal with a better touch from Tom Huddlestone’s floated pass.

Pascal Chimbonda whipped the ball in from a threatening position on the right but goalkeeper Daniel Zitka claimed.

Zitka was not troubled by Huddlestone’s long-range free-kick, the midfielder who was looking to impress in his first start under Ramos.

Darren Bent had a tame appeal for a penalty when he tussled with Jelle van Damme in the area but the decision from referee Damir Skomina actually went the way of the hosts.

At the other end, Anderlecht’s first threat came when Olivier Deschacht volleyed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which Mbo Mpenza failed to get on the end of.

Paul Robinson made his first save of the match in the 34th minute when Nicolas Frutos found a yard of room on the edge of the box, but his weak shot lacked direction.

Robinson was also called into action when Roland Juhasz skidded through a shot from the edge of the area, then Frutos’ follow-up was blocked.

Keane forced a save from decent save from Zitka in the first minute of the second half after Aaron Lennon and Chimbonda had exchanged passes down the right flank.

Robinson was required to save shortly afterwards when Chimbonda lost the ball and Frutos slipped past Dawson. The England goalkeeper was down well at his near post.

Mpenza was in a similar position but Zokora slid in, with the referee bizarrely awarding a goal-kick.

Spurs fans had been calling for Berbatov to be brought off the bench and they were given their wish just before the hour mark when he replaced Keane.

His first contribution was to drive into the penalty area at pace – but he was halted by a last-ditch tackle. He also had a free-kick tipped over by Zitka.

Jan Polak was booked for a rant at the referee when a decision went against him but he was among the celebrating home players in the 68th minute.

Cyril Thereau centred from the right, Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.

But Spurs were level within three minutes when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Van Damme and Berbatov sent Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Robinson produced a stunning save to deny Thereau a winner when the substitute had most of the goal to aim at from close range, but the Spurs goalkeeper dived to claw the ball back.

Spurs survived to claim the point they needed but Young-Pyo Lee was carried off on a stretcher – more worrying news for Ramos’ threadbare defence.

They could have grabbed a winner when Jermain Defoe had an effort tipped over the bar.