Last minute-escape for Fulham

Jimmy Bullard converted a 90th-minute penalty to earn Fulham a late point in a 1-1 draw with Bolton as their Barclays Premiership clash at Craven Cottage finally burst into life.

A controversial 72nd-minute spot-kick from El-Hadji Diouf appeared to have preserved Bolton's 100% start to the season.

Diouf crossed to the onrushing Kevin Nolan after reaching the byline but the Bolton skipper went crashing down after making contact with Luis Boa Morte.

Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot and a hushed silence greeted his decision before Fulham began their protests which were halted when Diouf stepped up to convert the penalty.

But Fulham drew level when substitute Abdoulaye Faye handled the ball under pressure from Papa Bouba Diop and Bullard made no mistake from the spot, securing a deserved share of the spoils.

Tannoys played the theme tune from Knight Rider before kick-off in honour of David Hasselhoff, the face of Fulham's shirt sponsors Pipex who are using the cult TV star to front their latest advertising campaign.

Watching an episode of the 1980s show would certainly have been preferable to enduring the first 70 minutes of this encounter.

Fulham, who replaced Collins John with Brian McBride in the only change to the side beaten 5-1 by Manchester United, were marginally on top and it was only Diouf's penalty which breathed life into the game.

The Cottagers made a nervous start, giving possession away easily and lacking direction on the ball.

Bolton took advantage by creating the first chance when Ivan Campo picked out Kevin Davies with a long floated pass, only for striker Heidar Helguson to come racing back and make a crucial block.

Davies was booked for a late tackle on Franck Queudrue and Coleman's side should have gone ahead from the free-kick.

Bullard lofted the ball onto the edge of the six-yard box to McBride who headed straight at goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with the goal at his mercy.

Bullard's precision set-piece work unlocked Bolton's defence for a second time but Ian Pearce nodded wide at the far post.

The Trotters' own attacking moments had dwindled with Pearce and Philippe Christanval looking secure at centre-back.

Boa Morte and McBride combined neatly to set up Bullard but the former Wigan midfielder's shot was going well wide until it took a deflection off Quinton Fortune and fell into the arms of Jaaskelainen.

A badly timed challenge from Diouf on McBride saw Boa Morte step in and launch a verbal attack on the Senegal star - but referee Alan Wiley intervened.

Entertainment was in short supply as both teams struggled to produce any decisive play with Bolton the biggest culprits, showing a distinct lack of imagination.

Ricardo Vaz Te set of on a lively run down the right for the Trotters in the 41st minute but the threat was ended when Queudrue and Pearce arrived to intervene.

Liam Rosenior, who is battling Moritz Volz for Fulham's right back slot, floated a deadly ball to Helguson four minutes after the restart and the Iceland striker easily lost Nicky Hunt before heading wide.

Fulham were thrown into a panic by a mazy run from Kevin Nolan, who easily drifted around three static defenders before Michael Brown finally thumped the ball out of play.

Brown, who needed a painkilling injection for Sunday's game because of blisters on his right foot, was then in the thick of the action at the other end, meeting Boa Morte's cross with a powerful header which was directed straight at Jaaskelainen.

Campo fired a 67th minute free-kick to Tal Ben Haim at the far post but his effort went wide and then the Israeli was forced to save Bolton with some sharp defensive work.

Boa Morte cut inside from the right and drifted along the byline before attempting to find the lurking Helguson only for Haim to spot the danger and intervene.

Bolton then took the lead through Diouf from the spot with Wiley forced to weather a storm of protests from incensed Fulham players.

And the hosts were rewarded in the dying minutes when Abdoulaye Faye handled the ball and Bullard kept his nerve to convert the resulting penalty.