Spurs claim draw as Kozak misfires

Tottenham could not find the victory over Lazio needed to progress from Group J, but their Hugo Lloris-inspired goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico means they are tonight one step closer to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League. Icon Paul Gascoigne's appearance on the pitch had rekindled memories of a glorious era for Lazio and Spurs, but tonight's tie proved to be anything but a classic. Libor Kozak, making a rare start, missed a hatful of chances for the hosts, but Lloris was equally important in keeping Lazio at bay. The Frenchman, chosen ahead of Brad Friedel, denied Kozak twice in the first half and was a steady and assuring presence throughout. Tottenham rarely threatened - although Gareth Bale's early strike should not have been ruled out for offside. But Panathinaikos' victory over Maribor means Tottenham only have to draw their final game at home to the Greeks next month to qualify. Gascoigne's emotional lap of honour had whipped up the feelings of both sets of fans, and the game started off with a bang for the away side. Spurs should have been 1-0 up after just four minutes when Bale latched on to Tom Carroll's through-ball and rounded Federico Marchetti, but the linesman ruled out the goal for offside. Tottenham continued to dominate and went close when Bale picked out Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Stefan Radu intervened to prevent the forward from scoring. The home crowd inside the half-empty Stadio Olimpico were surprisingly quiet in the opening quarter, but they were brought to the edge of their seats in the 18th minute. Lloris, who was partly responsible for a howler against Maribor two weeks ago, mis-judged Cristian Ledesma's 30-yard shot, which he palmed on to the bar. The former Lyon man quickly made amends by getting to his feet and forcing Alvaro Gonzalez wide with the follow-up. Kozak off target Other than a dipping shot from Bale, Spurs were struggling to get in to the game and they had Lloris to thank for stopping them from going behind again moments later. Kyle Walker's slip allowed Kozak to break through, but Lloris saved the striker's shot with his out-stretched leg. Kozak missed a sitter on the half hour, nodding wide a Stefano Mauri cross from eight yards after losing his marker. Lazio split the Spurs defence again just before half-time to send Kozak through, but Lloris came to the rescue again, storming off his line to clear. Both sets of supporters sang Gascoigne's name at half-time, but the football both sides produced after the break was nowhere near the great man's standards. Spurs were sloppy in possession and had Kozak to thank for his awful finishing. The 23-year-old latched on to a through-ball but he dragged his shot wide, much to the annoyance of the home fans. It only took five more minutes for the striker to miss his next chance. This time the Czech straight at Lloris after being played in by a deft touch from Amauri. Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas brought Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon off the bench to give them the cutting edge they lacked. Ledesma bent a free-kick over the wall and just wide of Lloris' goal as Lazio continued to threaten. Villas-Boas then brought on Mousa Dembele for his first match in over a month as Tottenham looked to hold on for the point. Lloris clattered in to a post as he challenged for a cross with Mauri and then cleared off the line with six minutes to go from Michael Ciani's header. From : Fifa