With Didier Zokora playing as a makeshift centre half alongside Michael Dawson, Spartak Moscow striker Artem Dzuba, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Crouch, made the most of the confusion to score two goals in the first half.
The opening effort was a gift as Gilberto let Dzuba run onto Gareth Bale's back pass to strike home, while Zokora was the one at fault in the 33rd minute when the forward ran past him with ease to again beat keeper Heurelho Gomes.
Luckily, Luka Modric is starting to justify his £16.6m price tag and helped turn things round after the break, and he scored his first goal in Spurs colours after being set-up by Aaron Lennon on 68 minutes.
Tom Huddlestone then finished a neat move to pull the home side level 16 minutes from time.
The fight back came at a price however, as Modric and Lennon are now both doubtful for the match at Newcastle on Sunday due to hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
Finishing second in their group means Spurs will now face a team dropping out of the Champions League in the draw for the last 32 today and it was no surprise then that Redknapp launched another appeal for signings after the match.
He said: "We are short in certain positions without a doubt. We've got a good squad here, it just needs thickening up. If we find the right players, we will bring them in."
While Spurs have all three cup competitions to look forward to in the new year, their League position is still a concern.
They are just one point above the relegation zone, but Bale hopes for a good run over Christmas.
He said: "The League is so tight and if we can have a good run over Christmas and a few teams don't, we can push right up."
