*Clint Dempsey headed in a late equaliser to earn stubborn Fulham a draw at Aston Villa.*

John Pantsil had gifted the home side the lead when he nodded a Stewart Downing cross into his own net.

The visitors hauled themselves level when Andrew Johnson headed in after Steve Sidwell’s strike was parried by Villa keeper Brad Friedel.

Kyle Walker’s stunning 30-yard drive restored Villa’s lead only for Dempsey to equalise in the 78th minute.

It was Dempsey’s 10th goal of the season and, although both teams had to settle for a point apiece from a finely balanced game, they provided an entertaining spectacle, showing why they have engineered revivals in form.

Having endured similar fortunes this season with troubled periods in the first half of the campaign - resulting in passing flirtations with the relegation zone - these sides have improved in recent weeks and a draw seemed fitting.

Their respective attacks have played a big part in their recoveries, with Villa splashing the cash on striker Darren Bent to help their cause, while Fulham have looked more of a threat with Moussa Dembele and Johnson leading their line during a sustained run in the side following injury.

With a place in the top half of the table within striking distance for both teams, Villa appeared the more determined to grasp the opportunity early on as they quickly started to overwhelm the visitors.

Downing produced a surging run from the left, cut inside and struck a low drive which Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer managed to get a hand to.

And, despite Bent slotting in the loose ball, he was ruled marginally offside before Villa took the lead.

There was a pace and directness about Downing, who ended another run with a cross which Pantsil nodded across goal and into his own net in the 13th minute.

It was the Fulham right-back’s third own goal this season and he has yet to register a goal for the Cottagers at the right end of the pitch.

Villa were showing some slick touches and there was a rugged resoluteness to their play but Fulham were putting in a hard-working shift to keep them at arm’s length, ensuring the home side did not add to their lead.

However, the visitors struggled to make an impact in the final third, with a Sidwell shot which swerved the wrong side of the post their main chance of the first half.

It was a different story after the break, as the midfielder, who had left the Midlands club for Fulham in the January transfer window, played an integral part in the equaliser.

He again let loose from long range and, after Friedel parried his stinging strike, ex-Birmingham City striker Johnson stooped to nod in a leveller after 52 minutes.

Just as the Cottagers appeared to be taking control, on-loan Tottenham right-back Walker popped up to drift past Sidwell and fire a low strike into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted just six minutes as Friedel failed to meet a Danny Murphy corner and Dempsey headed in.

Friedel made amends for his mistake by blocking a Johnson strike as Fulham threatened to steal a win before the home side ended up holding on for a draw.