Tottenham's hopes of achieving Premier League survival were dealt a devastating late blow as Georginio Rutter scored a 95th-minute equaliser for European hopefuls Brighton.

Spurs appeared on course to end their desperate winless league run, which extended to a 15th match, and move out of the bottom three when Xavi Simons curled in with 13 minutes remaining.

Instead, Roberto de Zerbi's side remained one point from safety with just five games remaining - and their situation could yet worsen over the coming days with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham yet to play, after Leeds United earlier distanced themselves from trouble.

That is after second-half substitute Rutter fired in with five minutes of the eight added for stoppage time to silence the home support and increase the club's relegation fears.

Former Brighton boss De Zerbi skipped towards his staff with delight when Pedro Porro headed in Xavi Simons' cross to release the first-half tension inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Porro's timely opener arrived amid Brighton's best first-half spell, during which Micky van de Ven knocked the ball against his own post and Antonin Kinsky saved Danny Welbeck's close-range header.

But Spurs were denied a half-time advantage by a sensational strike from Kaoru Mitoma - a 20th-minute substitute after an early injury to Diego Gomez - who volleyed into the top corner in first-half injury time.

Simon's superb strike, after excellent work by substitute Lucas Bergvall to regain possession high up the pitch, looked to have given De Zerbi a crucial victory in his first home game in charge - one which would have lifted Spurs up two places to 16th.

But their hopes of avoiding a first top-flight relegation since 1977 remain in the balance after Rutter delivered a late sucker-punch to keep his side firmly in contention for a European place.

Signs of encouragement but Spurs running out of time

With each winless game that passes, a once unthinkable fate for Tottenham becomes increasingly likely.

The facts are that Spurs now stand five games away from a first season in the second tier for almost 50 years, and one match from equalling the club's worst-ever winless league run, set in 1935.

Yet, while it may not feel it in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's cruel setback, there were signs of encouragement for De Zerbi, who has insisted first and foremost on restoring confidence in his players to aid their survival bid.

A team sheet featuring midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, making his first start since undergoing hamstring surgery in January, and James Maddison, returning to the squad after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season, already provided a pre-match lift.

The Spurs fans waved flags bearing the club's crest before kick-off and roared as the stadium announcer read out the player's names as they sought to create an atmosphere in which their confidence-stricken team could thrive.

The hosts carried the greater early threat but failed to hit the target despite registering the first four attempts of the game - while they also had a penalty claim dismissed when Destiny Udogie went down after getting past Yankuba Minteh.

They went close to a quick-fire second when the excellent Simons' low shot hit the post, and Bart Verbruggen was equal to Porro's follow-up.

There were uncomfortable moments as Brighton began to threaten, but Spurs showed great resolve to force the opener, and again as the stadium became increasingly nervous in the second half.

Ultimately, De Zerbi's men could not withstand Brighton's late pressure - but the Italian will hope this performance can inspire his side with time quickly running out.

In contrast to Spurs, Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton sat top of the form table after winning five of their past six league games in their late surge towards the European places.

Naming an unchanged side after the Seagulls maintained their momentum at Burnley, Hurzeler was again forced to watch from the stands as he served the second of his two-match touchline ban.

Brighton were forced to remain patient for their opportunities but eventually found their rhythm during a frantic end to the first half.

Welbeck twice went close to a breakthrough, but was unable to add a finishing touch when Van de Ven deflected Jack Hinshelwood's header against his own post, before having a glancing header saved by Kinsky.

With a chance to go to the sixth set to pass them by, Ferdi Kadioglu appeared to have missed the chance to rescue a late point for the visitors when he shot into the side-netting.

But Rutter would make no mistake after Jan Paul van Hecke robbed Kevin Danso of possession inside the Spurs penalty area, the point keeping them within reach of sixth-placed Chelsea, who they face next on Tuesday night.

What's next?

Brighton host fellow European hopefuls Chelsea on Tuesday at 20:00 BST. (BBC)