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Fulham came from a goal down to claim a hard fought Premier League point in a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Fulham showed all of the dreaded post-Europa League jet lag following Thursday night's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico and, having started lethargically, were a goal down after Emmerson Boyce took advantage of some generous marking to put the Latics into a well-deserved 14th minute lead.

But Boyce's defensive colleague, Titus Bramble, afforded the visitors a route back into the game when he was adjudged to have fouled Clint Dempsey following a searching Damien Duff free-kick. The American picked himself up to fire past Chris Kirkland.

The omens were not good for Wigan: 10 of the 13 Premier League goals the Cottagers have scored this season have come in the second half. But it was the home side who looked the more likely to win it come the second half - and they probably would have, had it not been for an inspired Mark Schwarzer.

Both sides missed gilt-edged opportunities before Boyce struck. Hugo Rodallega stole in at the back post unopposed but the Colombian glanced his header wide, while Erik Nevland looped a header over Kirkland that seemed destined for the back of the net - only for it to come back off the post.

With Fulham minds seemingly still in Rome and having continued to defend poorly, Boyce capitalised on some sluggish play to give the home side the lead.

When Fulham failed to properly clear a corner, Paul Scharner knocked down Erik Edman's deep, searching back post ball into the path of Boyce, who scuffed a volley from close range into the bottom corner.

Roberto Martinez's decision to keep faith with much of his side - despite last weekend's mauling at the hands of the Premier League's bottom club Portsmouth - appeared to pay dividends as the home side controlled large swathes of the game.

And had they been a little luckier in front of goal, they may have been out of sight when referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot.

Rodallega first stung the palms of Schwarzer after a quick exchange of passes with strike partner Jason Scotland before seeing a free-kick drop agonisingly wide with the Australian beaten.

But despite having most of the play, the Latics couldn't convert their dominance into a further lead and, despite offering very little going forward, Fulham drew level six minutes before the break when Clint Dempsey beat Kirkland from 12 yards.

Fulham, buoyed by that goal, finished in the ascendancy, but come the second half it was Wigan who were always the likeliest to find a winner.

Roared on by a partisan, if sparse, home crowd, Wigan were rampant and it was almost left singlehandedly to Schwarzer to take a point back to Craven Cottage.

The Australian pushed two whistling drives around the post - first from Charles N'Zogbia, following a meandering run, and then Scharner. He then completed his heroics by saving a point blank header from Mohamed Diame.

Fulham rallied in the dying moments but the sole fruit of their toils was a poorly worked free-kick that Chris Baird blazed over.

Marcus Foley / Eurosport