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Fulham blow survival chance

London - Fulham blew a massive opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone on Saturday as they conceded a late equaliser against Hull in a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

The draw was harsh on the west Londoners who appeared in control at 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go before Steve Bruce's side launched their comeback which was built on a defensive error by Felix Magath's men.

The draw keeps Fulham third from bottom and one point behind Norwich, who play Manchester United later on Saturday, for Ryan Giggs first match in charge at Old Trafford.

Irishman Steve Long struck the 87th minute equaliser for Hull after Fulham tired badly down the stretch.

Ashkan Dejagah and Fernando Amorebieta scored twice in three second half minutes to put Fulham in the driving seat before Croatia's Nikica Jelavic scrambled the ball home on 75 minutes.

Then came Long's headed equaliser in the dying stages as Fulham were left to rue what should have been three desperately needed points.

Magath, 60, who spent 17 seasons in the Bundesliga and won 43 caps as a midfielder for West Germany, shook up a tight match at half-time with a double substitution that led to both goals.

Firstly it was Dejagah who produced a moment of magic on 55 minutes to ease the jangling nerves of the home fans.

The 27-year-old Iranian international, who scored the winner against Newcastle earlier in the month, finished off a darting run with a high quality finish into Steve Harper's top corner.

Three minutes later and Craven Cottage was rocking at full volume when Venezuelan defender Amorebieta headed home Kieran Richardson's pinpoint cross.

Richardson was the second player brought on by Magath at half-time as Fulham appeared to be heading for victory.

Hull had come into the match with the third worst record on their travels with 11 defeats, only one fewer than Fulham and two fewer than Norwich.

They did however inflict Fulham's worst Premier League defeat with a 6-0 victory in December which was also Hull's biggest ever top flight win.

An uneventful opening 45 minutes saw possession shared and produced just one shot on goal as home 'keeper David Stockdale was called into action once while Harper of Hull didn't have a save to make.

Fulham's remaining matches are away to Stoke on May 3 followed by a home fixture against Crystal Palace on May 11, the final day of the season.

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