Pascal Chimbonda scored a late leveller to earn Tottenham a point after Vincenzo Montella's penalty looked to have earned 10-man Fulham victory at Craven Cottage.

The hosts had Heidar Helguson dismissed in the second half but almost snatched victory when Michael Dawson conceded a penalty for handball and Montella broke the deadlock with eight minutes left.

But the lead did not last long and Chimbonda finished at the far post, meaning Fulham have drawn their last six Barclays Premiership games, all against teams in and around London.

Steed Malbranque was making his first appearance back at Craven Cottage since being sold five months ago, with the home fans never wasting an opportunity taunt the Frenchman.

He was booked late in the first half and also drew a lunge from Helguson which earned the Iceland striker his first yellow card.

Despite being in fine form recently, Malbranque struggled to impose himself in a poor game.

Both sides had scored four times in their midweek FA Cup replays, but early blustery conditions made a it difficult for another goal feast.

Fulham skipper Michael Brown, who was signed from Spurs a year ago, had a chance in the first minute but headed over from a Franck Queudrue free-kick.

Brown then had a shot from the edge of the area which Chimbonda blocked for a corner as the hosts started the brighter of the two teams.

Spurs boss Martin Jol left Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane on the bench - possibly with an eye on Wednesday's Carling Cup clash against Arsenal - and one of the players drafted in had an early sight on goal.

Hossam Ghaly cut inside on the right but could not get power on his shot, but it was a rare first-half attack from the visitors.

Aside from Anthony Gardner heading over from a Tom Huddlestone free-kick, Spurs were restricted to long shots and were guilty of indecision as they attacked.

Fulham built momentum through Brian McBride, the American striker finding the side-netting after Tomasz Radzinski found room on the left to cross.

The hosts almost took the lead in the 28th minute when Carlos Bocanegra was found at the far post by Queudrue and pulled back for Helguson, but the striker's back-heel from close range was saved by Paul Robinson.

McBride had three efforts late in the first half but could not find a way past Robinson.

The England goalkeeper caught a straightforward but powerful effort, but then denied the American striker from close range.

Queudrue, so dangerous with his left foot from the flank, curled in a cross beyond the Spurs defence to find McBride only for Robinson to produce a reaction save to keep the scores level.

Didier Zokora, an early replacement for Teemu Tainio, also scrambled clear when McBride had an effort from the edge of the area.

McBride's poor luck continued after the restart. Spurs were fortunate when Dawson's clearance came off the striker and into the arms of Robinson.

However, the hosts were dealt a blow in the 52nd minute when Helguson left a foot in on Huddlestone and was given a second yellow card by referee Mike Dean.

Huddlestone and Zokora tried their luck from long range but neither were close to troubling Lastuvka.

Spurs then brought Lennon on for the last 30 minutes as they looked to chase the game, while Keane came on for Jermain Defoe.

Montella came on for Radzinski and Clint Dempsey was brought on for his debut, with Fulham awarded a penalty with eight minutes remaining when Dawson handled McBride's shot from the edge of the area.

Montella sent Robinson the wrong way but Chimbonda was found at the far post from a Huddlestone free-kick and earned a point with a low finish.

Teams

Fulham Lastuvka, Rosenior, Christanval, Bocanegra, Pearce,Queudrue, Volz (Dempsey 81), Brown, Radzinski (Montella 71),McBride, Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Warner, Knight, Omozusi.

Sent Off: Helguson (53).

Booked: Helguson, Queudrue, Brown.

Goals: Montella 84 pen.

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee,Ghaly (Lennon 61), Tainio (Zokora 27), Huddlestone, Malbranque,Defoe (Keane 67), Berbatov.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Assou-Ekotto.

Booked: Malbranque, Dawson.

Goals: Chimbonda 88.

Att: 23,580

Ref: M Dean (Wirral).