Elliott volley denies Cottagers

Fulham remain without a win at Burnley since 1951 as a keenly contested game deservedly finished even at Turf Moor.


Seeking their first league win at Turf Moor since 1951, the visitors seemed intent on making up for lost time and had two golden chances inside the first two minutes.

Erik Nevland exposed the home defence by sending through Duff who spotted goalkeeper Brian Jensen off his line but fluffed his attempted lob.

Less than a minute later Nevland found himself with a chance of his own when Clint Dempsey played a neat ball back to the Norwegian in the box but his low shot struck Jensen's legs.

Burnley had their first chance in the eighth minute when Robbie Blake's long-range effort deflected into the arms of Schwarzer.

Duff came close again in the 10th minute when he smashed a low left-foot shot which Jensen parried as the visitors continued to carve open the Burnley defence with alarming ease.

Eagles hit a low shot into Schwarzer's arms while at the other end Dempsey was not far off with an audacious long drive and Aaron Hughes was close with a header.

A fine ball by Zamora sent Duff through on the right in the 35th minute but there was no-one in the box to meet the Irishman's final ball.

The home side made a more encouraging start to the second-half, Andre Bikey's ball setting up Elliott who was pushed right before trickling a poor shot across goal in the 50th minute.


Opener
Seconds later Fulham grabbed the lead when Baird punted a long free-kick upfield and Zamora shrugged off Steven Caldwell before placing the opener past Jensen.

Fulham could have gone further ahead when Dempsey connected well with a Duff corner only to see his header booted off the line by an alert Tyrone Mears.

But Burnley responded by levelling 10 minutes later when Jordan's cross was headed back by defender Brede Hangeland and fell to Elliott, who volleyed home from eight yards.

Handed a new lease of life, Burnley continued to have chances with substitute David Nugent firing straight at Schwarzer from a narrow angle.

Bikey also brought a save out of the goalkeeper with a low effort but the final minutes ticked by without clear chances and both sides were left frustrated not to seal the points.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle:

"I thought it was two teams going all out to win.

"Fulham were very impressive, as good as anything we have seen at Turf Moor this season.

"But coming back from a goal down showed a lot about our character.

"We know the quality in the Premier League and it's a learning curve for us but the players have an appetite for it and a quality and we play the right way."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:

"We were more than good value for a point.

"We created some excellent chances, especially in the first-half.

"It was a difficult place to come and if I'd been offered a point before the game I would have been tempted.

"But after the way we played in the first half I think I can be a little bit disappointed that we didn't take all three points."