League One Bristol Rovers earned a money-spinning replay against Fulham by holding the Premier League side to a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup third round at Craven Cottage.

Fulham looked set to go on to win after David Healy had equalised Danny Coles' opener.

But Craig Hinton's headed goal in the second-half pressed the Cottagers into action with the home side avoiding an Everton or Birmingham-sized humiliation thanks to Danny Murphy's equaliser with 20 minutes left.

Nobody could have predicted what was to follow as Rovers launched their first attack and just 70 seconds in they had silenced the crowd by taking the lead.

After some well-worked build-up play with Sammy Igoe, Coles lashed home a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, the strike flying past the outstretched fingertips of Antti Niemi in the Fulham goal.

It was the first goal in over three years for the defender who is on loan from Championship side Hull City.

Rovers' confidence almost paid off twice more inside the first ten minutes but Andrew Williams was flagged offside when through on goal and Chris Lines was denied a clear shot at goal thanks to a superb block from Dejan Stefanovic.

Niemi, in fact, barely had another touch in the half as Fulham showed their Premier League class.

They thought they had equalised on 12 minutes but Clint Dempsey's headed goal from Moritz Volz's cross was disallowed for a push on goalkeeper Steve Phillips.

But parity was eventually restored five minutes before the break. Volz volleyed in a right-wing cross after Steve Elliot attempted to clear a Simon Davies through-ball and Healy calmly evaded his marker to head in the equaliser for his fifth goal of the season.

Fulham should have gone in ahead at half-time but a string of fine saves from veteran goalkeeper Phillips kept Rovers in the tie - most notably a brilliant double stop to deny first Healy's header and then Alexi Smertin's follow-up.

The second-half went much the same way although Fulham were restricted to far less chances and to the surprise of many, the League One side, ranked 44 places below their hosts, re-took the lead just after the hour mark.

Lines whipped in a free-kick and saw full-back Hinton rise highest to head past Niemi from eight yards out. Incredibly for a defender, it was his fourth goal in six games and means he has now scored in every round of the FA Cup this season.

But just when Rovers began to think about emulating the Nathan Ellington-inspired 3-1 win over Premier League Derby that last took them into the fourth round six years ago, their hearts were broken.

With his first touch after being introduced as a substitute, Northern Ireland international Steven Davis threaded a pass to Murphy, who cut inside and unleashed a spectacular curling shot to pull his side level from 20 yards.

Murphy's fourth goal of the season set up a final 20 minutes full of tension, but low on quality as both sides put up firm defensive resistances.

Either side could have won it in the final five minutes but both Rovers substitute Chris Carruthers and Fulham's Dempsey failed to convert chances from tight angles; Carruthers at least forcing a save out of Niemi.

While Rovers failed to repeat the remarkable victories of fellow League One sides Oldham and Huddersfield, they will take Fulham back to the Memorial Ground in ten days for a replay that is sure to be a sell-out.

Jamie O'Leary / Eurosport