Mario Melchiot received unequivocal backing from his Birmingham City team-mates after a vociferous section of the St Andrew's crowd vented their spleen in his direction on Saturday.

Tottenham's first goal in a 2-0 victory arose after Jermain Defoe dispossessed the Holland international and he fed Aaron Lennon to break the deadlock.

Melchiot was visibly upset after the goal and his mood was not helped with home supporters booing him for ten minutes after the incident as Blues' relegation worries intensified.

Ironically, it was arguably Melchiot's most vibrant performance in 2006 as he rekindled his spark with Jermaine Pennant on the right flank.

The right-back also made a vital interception on the stroke of half time to deny Robbie Keane a certain goal and earned himself plaudits in the process.

But the Premiership is an unforgiving league and supporters looking for a scapegoat as the relegation trapdoor beckons castigated him after his error.

However, his teammates believed the response he received was a particularly harsh brand of rough justice.

"The crowd has been great but it's easily forgotten," Martin Taylor said. "He stopped a certain goal in first-half injury time. From where I was it was superb and then he makes an honest mistake, so I can't think you can ask any more of him.

"He'll be disappointed with that but I thought he did excellently to carry on.

"You don't want people to turn against your own players and it wasn't a small number, it was pretty much the whole ground.

"A lot of people would crumble if they got that treatment but he did well to keep going and carry on."

Taylor's namesake, Maik, was adamant that Melchiot's colleagues would rally to the cause and ensure the former Chelsea star was given support.

It is unlikely that Melchiot has ever been on the receiving end like that before and Taylor offered unequivocal backing.

The goalkeeper said: "It is just a mistake. He knows that, we all know that. We are fully behind him and the reaction of the fans doesn't help anyone in the position we are in.

"It was very harsh. If the fans were booing someone for not trying, that's one issue, but noone needs to tell him it's a genuine mistake. He is experienced enough.

"We are 100 per cent behind him, no question; we are all in it together. It is just one of those things. He has made an unbelievable block to deny them a goal in first-half injury-time."

Even Tottenham's England international Jer-maine Jeans expressed surprise at the derision aimed at Melchiot.

"We were surprised at the treatment Melchiot got," Jenas said. "I don't know the ins and outs of it but I know Mario is a top player and he is a top man in himself.

"He probably doesn't deserve that but he is a strong enough character and I am sure he will be fine."

Skipper Kenny Cunningham, returning after missing four games, empathised with the supporters' frustrations. However, he implored fans to criticise every member of the team for their predicament, as opposed to singling our certain individuals.

"It surprised me, as I don't know exactly where the crowd are coming from," he said. "Maybe it was in relation to the first goal. Jermaine Defoe did well and robbed Mario for the ball so maybe to an extent it is understandable. I understand their frustration and disappointment as they pay their money and they are entitled to air their opinion. But air them at the whole team and not just one individual."