AN INJURY-TIME header from Gareth McAuley denied Fulham their first home win of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

All-action midfielder Steve Sidwell's fist-half strike and gritty performance looked to have given the Whites all three points until McAuley popped up in stoppage time to deny Martin Jol's side.

Jol made three changes to the team that were beaten 1-0 at Newcastle last time out as injured duo Aaron Hughes and Darren Bent were unavailable and there was no place for John Arne Riise.

In came Pajtim Kasami, Kieran Richardson and Philipe Senderos for what was only Fulham's second home fixture of the campaign at Craven Cottage.

It was a disappointing opening 20 minutes in SW6 as long-range efforts from Bryan Ruiz and Chris Brunt provided the only notable action as the ball spent most of the time in the centre of the park.

But a minute after Brunt had sent his effort wide, Sidwell latched onto a lose ball in the West Brom penalty area and lashed home a half-volley to break the deadlock.

Brunt was the main threat for the Baggies and he forced a save from David Stockdale when he rose at the back post to get on the end of an inviting Morgan Amalfitano delivery.

Dimitar Berbatov had the ball in the net on the half-hour but was denied by the linesman's flag following a beautiful Fulham move that showcased Ruiz and Kasami's creativity.

Fulham were tested once more before the break.

Amalfitano again created half a yard for a cross that was met by right-back Billy Jones, finding his way into the left channel, but his header was cleared off the line by Sascha Reither.

Berbatov had the ball in the back of the net again after half-time but was again caught offside, the former Manchester United striker straying marginally beyond Claudio Yacob.

Scott Parker and Sidwell were tenacious in midfield all afternoon and won every tackle to keep things ticking over for the Whites.

Berbatov, hoping to make it third time lucky, bent his run superbly as he anticipated Ruiz's fine through ball, beating the offside trap this time but not Albion keeper Boaz Myhill.

It just wasn't going in for the Bulgarian who then tried a spectacular overhead kick that grazed the top of the crossbar following more fine work from the lively Ruiz.

Jol handed a debut to Fernando Amorebieta as he replaced the hard-working Richardson on 67 minutes.

Nicolas Anelka was twice allowed in behind the Whites defence, first setting up Victor Anichebe, and then slipping when under pressure from Brede Hanglenad to keep it at 1-0.

Berbatov was replaced by Hugo Rodallega and he seemed to pass on the curse as the substitute scored only to see the flag raised after Ruiz had rattled the bar with a thunderbolt.

A late injury to Ruiz, which saw the number 10 stretchered off, will have Whites fans worried but more bad news was to follow.

Brunt swung in a stoppage-time corner and McCauley showed great desire to meet it with his head and snatch a point for the Baggies.

WHITES: Stockdale, Senderos, Hangeland, Sidwell, Kasami, Berbatov (Rodallega, 77), Ruiz (Duff, 90), Kacaniklic, Richardson (Amorebieta, 67), Riether, Parker.

Subs (not used): Etheridge, Karagounis, Taarabt, Zverotic.