FULHAM battled to claim a precious point against Blackburn in their fight against relegation but still extended their run without a win to nine Premiership games.

Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop and on-loan Italian striker Vincenzo Montella will have to argue over a 10th minute goal which was headed in by the Senegal star but claimed on the touch by the striker.

But Blackburn had the better of things in the second half and Benni McCarthy's 61stminute strike . . . his 21st goal this season . . . was well earned.

To the delight of the Fulham supporters, it was the home side who went ahead on the 10th minute . . . with Montella claiming the goal. When Simon Davies flighted a corner from the right it was Papa Bouba Diop who got up above everybody to power a downward bouncing header. Montella swung a foot at it on the way in but only he would know if he got a touch as the ball slipped past a bemused Brad Friedel.

Rovers were stunned but still could have scored twice at the start of the second half.

In the 49th minute Niemi made a miraculous save to defy Pedersen's header after Benni McCarthy's drilled drive came shuddering back off the bar. The goalkeeper blocked Pedersen's header from the rebound and then went down bravely at his feet to complete the save.

But Rovers' pressure inevitably produced a goal and when it came just after the hour it was simplicity itself.

Stephen Warnock roared down the left, skipped past Liam Rosenior and drilled a low cross which McCarthy nudged past Niemi for his 21st goal of the season.