Steve Sidwell fired the Cottagers in front on 19 minutes and the hosts went on to have three goals disallowed as they attempted to strengthen their hold on the contest.

However, Martin Jol's side were denied their first win since the opening weekend of the campaign when McAuley scored on 92 minutes with a header from a corner.

Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action at Craven Cottage.

Match statistics

Fulham:
Shots: 12
On target: 2
Possession: 55%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 9

West Brom:
Shots: 12
On target: 4
Possession: 45%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

McAuley's late equaliser was harsh on Fulham, who had largely had the better of a low-quality game. They may have only registered two shots on target, but those stats are a bit false when you consider that they had three goals disallowed, albeit correctly. The hosts had more possession, more clear sights on goal and were unlucky not to pick up maximum points.

Fulham's performance

Their attacking play was scrappy until the break, after which Fulham passed the ball with purpose and pace. The trio of players supporting Dimitar Berbatov linked up well with the Bulgarian to create several chances in a 30-minute period during which Fulham should have put the game to bed. At the other end, the Cottagers were fairly solid, with Scott Parker and Sidwell offering the back four excellent protection.

West Brom's performance

Steve Clarke seemed to set up with Nicolas Anelka playing in a deeper role than Victor Anichebe, and it was not until they switched positions in the second half that the Frenchman had an effort on goal. He is their most accomplished finisher and needs to be playing on the shoulder of the last defender as he has done throughout his prolific career. Morgan Amalfitano and Chris Brunt were lively down the flanks, but the central midfield pair of Claudio Yacob and Youssouf Mulumbu could not perform the same shielding job that Fulham's holding duo did, as they allowed the Whites attackers to get in between the Baggies midfield and defence all too often.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Alex Kacaniklic: Fulham's Swedish international made some excellent runs coming in off the left flank and helped his side spread the play with pace. He also dribbled well with the ball and was always in space to collect possession from Parker, who could equally have received this award for his excellent controlling of the midfield.

Biggest gaffe

For a match low in quality, this contest was fairly gaffe-free, although Billy Jones really should have done better with a header when found unmarked at the back post by Amalfitano's cross.

Referee's performance

The man in the middle, Lee Probert, had little to do, but his assistants did well to correctly adjudge three Fulham 'goals' offside, one of which, involving Berbatov, was a very tight call.

What next?

Fulham: The Cottagers travel across the capital for a West London derby against rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Saturday evening.

West Brom: Clarke's men will go in search of their first Premier League win of the season when they welcome bottom-of-the-table Sunderland to The Hawthorns in a week's time.