BENNI McCARTHY scored his 21st goal of the season to keep Blackburn's European hopes alive.

Fulham went ahead on boss Lawrie Sanchez's home debut as on-loan Italian striker Vincenzo Montella claimed the goal early on.

But Rovers' UEFA Cup dream, boosted by their midweek win over Watford, was revived as McCarthy slotted scored a well-earned equaliser in the second half.

Rovers dominated the first half.

Mark Hughes' players carved out a host of chances but they were ultimately made to pay for a momentary lapse of concentration at a set-piece.

Fulham took the lead in the 10th minute when Papa Bouba Diop soared above Ryan Nelsen to meet a Simon Davies corner.

As his downward header kicked up off the turf, Montella tried to help it on its way and the ball flicked off his shoulder before nestling inside the left-hand post.

From that point on, it was all Rovers but a combination of poor finishing and some inspired goalkeeper by Antti Niemi left them frustrated.

Morten Gamst Pedersen went close with two free kicks from the edge of the area, Liam Rosenior headed a David Bentley cross against his own post, and a Jason Roberts shot was hacked off the line by Zat Knight with Niemi beaten.

Brad Friedel finally made his first save of the half in the 37th minute when Diop's piledriver took a wicked deflection, but the Rovers stopper brilliantly changed direction and managed to claw it to safety.

Blackburn controlled most of the second half, McCarthy rattling the crossbar and Niemi making a brave block and save from Pedersen's head and foot.

Stephen Warnock roared down the left, skipped past Rosenior and drilled in a low cross for McCarthy who popped up in the six-yard box to slot the ball home.

Then McCarthy was just offside when lashing past Niemi four minutes after his goal.

And the Finnish goalkeeper made another outstanding stop from Pedersen before Fulham skipper Brown scuffed a shot over after good work by substitute Wayne Routledge.

Teams Fulham Niemi, Rosenior, Knight, Christanval (Volz 76),Bocanegra, Davies, Brown, Diop, Radzinski (Dempsey 83),Montella (Routledge 72), McBride.

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Helguson.

Booked: Brown.

Goals: Montella 10.

Blackburn Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley,Mokoena, Dunn, Pedersen, Roberts, McCarthy.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili, Kerimoglu, Gallagher, Derbyshire.

Booked: Bentley.

Goals: McCarthy 61.

Att: 23,652 Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).