*Carlos Bocanegra earned Fulham a point at home against Aston Villa after he cancelled out John Carew’s opener.*

Villa took a controversial lead when referee Lee Mason got in Alexei Smertin’s way and Gareth Barry put Carew through to clip into the net.

Fulham equalised almost immediately, Bocanegra stooping to head home Franck Queudrue’s right-wing free-kick.

Fulham had the best chances but Michael Brown hit the woodwork twice and Thomas Sorensen saved well from Brian McBride.

The draw keeps both sides nine points above the relegation zone after Charlton’s late draw at Watford.

It was as much as Villa deserved for a workmanlike display, but Fulham should have capitalised on a good start to the second half to take all three points.

After a bright opening by Villa it was the hosts who had the first real attempt on goal, Brown’s mis-hit shot deflected on to the bar by Barry.

Neither side was giving much away and chances were at a premium as the game became bogged down in midfield.

Just as the fans’ interest seemed to be waning, the visitors sprang into a surprise - and somewhat controversial - lead.

Barry picked the ball up in midfield after referee Mason got in the way of Smertin and drove towards the Fulham box, neatly slipping in Carew who drew Antti Niemi from his goal and coolly prodded into the net.

Fulham’s defenders thought Carew should have been flagged offside too, but the big Norwegian had timed his run to perfection.

The home supporters need not have worried, as just 78 seconds later their team were back on level terms.

Queudrue whipped in a free-kick from 45 yards and as the Villa defence slept, Bocanegra sneaked in and headed past Sorensen.

If the first half was even, Fulham bossed the second period from the start and spent large spells camped in the Villa half.

McBride forced a low save from Sorensen and from the rebound Brown clipped the outside of a post, before McBride’s heavily-deflected shot was brilliantly saved by the Danish keeper.

McBride was being allowed the freedom of Craven Cottage as Villa’s defenders sat off, but his radar was slightly off as he dragged another shot wide from 18 yards.

Villa brought on Gabriel Agbonlahor for Shaun Maloney and the 20-year-old was soon testing Fulham’s defence with his pace.

But the best late chance fell to Carew, who saw his bottom corner-bound effort fabulously palmed away by the sprawling Niemi.

*Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill*

“The second half was a non-event and that was disappointing.

“I thought we created the better chances but we were beaten in the last two games away from home when we played much better.

“I’m a bit disappointed and a bit frustrated but whether we did enough to win was debatable.”