A moment of individual brilliance from recently-crowned PFA Player of the Season Gareth Bale gave Tottenham Hotspur a vital late win against Southampton at White Hart Lane.

Bale, who was also this week named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Season,  lived up to all of his plaudits in the 87th minute when he cut inside from the right and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that rifled into the bottom left corner.

The goal lifts Spurs to fourth and gives Andre Villas-Boas’s side a vital three points in their quest for Champions League qualification, an ambition that remains in their hands with three games left to play.

Kick-off was delayed by thirty minutes because of heavy traffic outside the ground and when the game did get underway, it was Southampton that looked more likely to take home a win.

Defoe pulled a close-range shot wide early on before Clyne volleyed beyond the far post when he was played through on goal, squandering a good chance to put the Saints in front.

Spurs were buoyed by the return from injury of Aaron Lennon and had Southampton on the back foot for much of the opening thirty minutes.

But they failed to carve out any real opportunities and had a let off when Clyne’s low cross was intercepted by Dawson in front of a poised Rodriguez on a Southampton break.

The visitors were doing most of the defending, though Spurs were creating little in front of goal, and the Saints looked dangerous on the counter attack through Clyne and lone-striker Lambert.

Dembele limped off to be replaced by Lewis Holtby on 34 minutes before Hugo Lloris got down brilliantly to palm Rickie Lambert’s low free-kick on to the post.

Steven Davis headed straight at the goalkeeper from six yards as the ball was crossed back in when he looked certain to score.

Southampton came out in the second half with a spring in their step and heavily tested the Spurs defence with a succession of corners.

Tottenham were struggling to find a way out, forcing Andre Villas-Boas to turn to the bench and bring on Emmanuel Adebayor, who replaced Aaron Lennon on 59 minutes.

The substitution had an immediate impact, with the Togolese front man giving Spurs the outlet they needed to come off the back foot.

The striker controlled the ball brilliantly for Clint Dempsey on the edge of the box but the American failed to get the ball under control and could only loop his shot over.

The White Hart Lane crowd began to get restless as the clock ticked, with things looking increasingly desperate in Spurs’ quest for a top-four finish.

Tottenham pressed for a winner and Dawson had his close-range volley blocked from a corner before two successive penalty appeals, first for a shirt pull on Adebayor and a second when Bale was brought down, both waved away by Mark Clattenburg.

But it was Bale who lifted the roof off White Hart Lane with his late stunner, giving his team a real boost before they travel to Chelsea on Wednesday for a match that appears to grow in importance as the games go by.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Adebayor, 59), Huddlestone, Dembele (Holtby, 34), Dempsey (Sigurdsson, 71), Bale, Defoe. Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Caulker, Carroll.

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Shaw, Cork, Steven Davis, Rodriguez, Do Prado (Mayuka, 65), Lallana (Puncheon, 80), Lambert. Subs: Kelvin Davis, Yoshida, Forren, Ward-Prowse, De Ridder.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)

Bookings: Assou-Ekotto, 70, Davis, 73.

Att: 36,190