2-1 v Asteras Tripolis - 6 November 2014 - Away

Harry Kane continued his rich vein of goalscoring form as Tottenham edged closer to the Europa League knockout stage with a win over Asteras Tripolis.

The striker, who scored a hat-trick in Spurs' 5-1 win over Asteras last month, headed his eighth goal in eight games following Andros Townsend's penalty.

Asteras had the better of the second half, and Spurs were reduced to 10 men when Federico Fazio conceded a penalty.

Jeronimo Barrales scored from the spot for the Greeks, but Tottenham held on.

The victory left Tottenham on eight points, level with Turkish club Besiktas in Group C who beat Partizan Belgrade by the same scoreline. Spurs now have a four-point cushion over Asteras in third.

Kane scored the decisive goal in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend after coming on as a substitute.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino had previously said the player's homegrown status has increased the pressure on him to add to the player's appearances in the top flight.

It is, however, becoming increasingly difficult for Pochettino to ignore the England Under-21 international's claims for a regular place in the starting line-up as he further enhanced his reputation at the 7,616-capacity Kolokotronis Stadium.

Townsend provided the early menace for the visitors, who had never won in Greece before this visit, and his dangerous cross was spilt by Asteras goalkeeper Tomas Kosicky, but Kane was unable to pounce on the loose ball and the hosts cleared the danger.

The home side were not without their chances and Pablo Mazza was put through clear on goal only for Eric Dier to recover ground and produce a last-ditch tackle to deny him.

Tottenham seized the initiative shortly after when Townsend was scythed down near the byeline inside the penalty area by a late challenge from Asteras defender Khalifa Papa Sankare.

Townsend emphatically dispatched the spot-kick past Kosicky, and was instrumental again shortly before half-time as Spurs increased their advantage.

The England winger's high cross from the left picked out Kane, who outmuscled Asteras centre-back Giorgos Zisopoulos and planted his header into the net.

Tottenham seemed to ease up in the second half as Asteras piled on the pressure.

The Greeks should have levelled after the interval when midfielder Tasos Tsokanis escaped the attentions of Dier, but with just Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm to beat he placed his shot wide.

Asteras continued to be guilty of poor finishing with forward Facundo Parra the worst offender as he twice failed to test Vorm from good positions.

Mazza also struck the post with a half-volley from the left flank just after the hour mark before they were awarded an injury-time penalty when Fazio clumsily brought down Barrales and was shown a straight red.

The Asteras striker buried the subsequent spot-kick, but Tottenham held their nerve in a tense finale to secure the points.