ROVERS had to settle for a share of the points despite dominating in an entertaining second half that saw four goals scored.

After a goalless first half that was only notable for the injury sustained to Benni McCarthy after three minutes, the game sprang into life five minutes after the restart when Danny Murphy converted from the spot after Nelsen brought down Kamara.

Rovers hit back almost immediately when Emerton lashed home, but Lawrie Sanchez's side responded through Diomansy Kamara.

The side in red and black dominated for long spells and finally got the goal they deserved, Stephen Warnock popping up to fire home at the back post after fine work from the returning Jason Roberts.

Not even the first sight for 15 months of Steven Reid in a Rovers shirt could muster up a deserved winner, as both sides settled for a point.

Mark Hughes was forced into making two changes from the side that had face Manchester United a fortnight earlier. David Dunn's suspension allowed a return to the starting eleven for Tugay, but the late return from international duty in South America meant that Rovers had to do without Roque Santa Cruz as well.

Andre Ooijer returned to the back four, as a Rovers reshuffle saw Emerton move up to right wing and Bentley further forward.

The Rovers boss also sprang a surprise on the bench, with Steven Reid named for the first time since August 2006, Robbie Savage and Jason Roberts also making welcome returns from injuries.

Already dealt a blow with the absence of Roque Santa Cruz, Rovers' prospects got off to the worst possible start when Benni McCarthy limped out of the action after just three minutes.

Although no foul was given, former Portsmouth defender Dejan Stefanovic caught the South African with his studs, McCarthy, his leg heavily strapped, was helped off to be replaced by Jason Roberts some five minutes later.

Rovers were still adjusting when the home side should have taken the lead, Clint Dempsey's clever ball through allowed Diomansy Kamara to race clear, but Friedel stood strong and blocked the effort with his shins.

Slowly but surely Rovers started to gain the upper hand, prompted by Tugay and willing runners down the flanks, the visitors started to see more of the ball, but without really threatening. Excellent centres by Warnock and Bentley deserved better.

Diomansy Kamara was wasteful in front of goal for the home side, but as the half entered it's latter stages, Rovers finally threatened Antti Niemi's goal.

A cross from the left landed at the feet of Roberts, but he chose to take an extra touch rather than strike first time and Hughes was able to hack clear. From the resulting Andre Ooijer throw on right, the ball was flicked onto Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Chris Baird did well to deny the Norwegian with a fine block.

No sooner had word reached that McCarthy's injury was not serious, the player with just a cut leg, than Rovers were dealt a serious ball on the pitch. Just four minutes had elapsed after the restart when Samba was robbed on the left touchline by Hameur Bouazza, the former Watford midfielder crossed into the area, both Kamara and Nelsen missed the ball, but the Rovers captain took the legs of the Fulham striker, the result, a penalty kick.

Danny Murphy stepped up and sent Brad Friedel the wrong way, stroking the ball home comfortably with a shot into the left corner of Friedel's goal.

But three minutes later Rovers should have been back on level terms. A Bentley free-kick into the area found Morten Gamst Pedersen, but from six yards out he some how put his header wide of goal.

Moments later and the home side had Antti Niemi to thank as he bravely blocked a Roberts effort.

But there's an old saying that you've got to score when you are on top and thankfully that proved to be the case moments later. Stephen Warnock, on the overlap down the left, fired over a delicious cross, Jason Roberts flicked the ball backwards where Brett Emerton, arriving at the back post, had time to control the ball on his chest before lashing it into the back of the net.

It was the Australian's first goal for Rovers in two years.

But the two sides were level for just six minutes as Fulham's best passing play of the game resulted in them regaining the lead. Simon Davies and Danny Murphy combined for Clint Dempsey to centre, and Diomansy Kamara had the simple task of tucking the ball away. There was a hint of offside, but there was to be no flag raised.

Rovers tried to rally for a second time, with Antti Niemi pulling off three superb saves in the space of a minute. Firstly the Finnish international pushed away a dipping drive from Morten Gamst Pedersen, the ball ran to Emerton who looked set to get his second of the game until Niemi got another vital touch to push the ball round the post.

From the resulting Bentley corner kick Christopher Samba powered a header down towards goal only to see Niemi make a one-handed stop to deny the Rovers defender.

But an uncharacteristic error from Tugay almost let Fulham in for a third, his underhit backpass was seized upon by former Ewood favourite Shefki Kuqi, Friedel forcing him wide, his effort thankfully into the side netting.

The contrast between what was on view in the first half compared to the second was vast, and a fourth goal duly arrived on 79 minutes. Jason Roberts again played a major part in the goal, showing all his power and strength to muscle his way into the area before delivering a low cross to the back post where Stephen Warnock was on hand to fire home his second goal of the season.

In the final moments of the game came a sight that warmed the hearts of the Rovers fans who had made the journey to West London as Steven Reid made his first appearance for the first team in fifteen months. Looking lively he almost played his part in a winner for Rovers, spreading play out wide to Emerton who found Bentley with his cross. The England man cut in from the left and curled an effort with his right boot, but like so many times before, Antti Niemi made the save.

So Rovers didn't get the three points that the possession and chances deserved, but with the absence of McCarthy and Santa Cruz, a point won't look too bad in the morning.

FULHAM: Niemi, Konchesky, Stefanovic, Davis, Kamara (sub Seol 84 mins), Hughes (c), Dempsey, Bouazza (sub Kuqi 68 mins), Davies, Murphy (sub Healy 83 mins), Baird.

Subs not used: Warner (GK), Bocanegra.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Emerton, Tugay, Mokoena (sub Reid 90 mins), Pedersen, Bentley, McCarthy (sub Roberts 8 mins).

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Savage, Khizanishvili.

Booked: Murphy, Stefanovic (Fulham), Bentley (Rovers).