New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson saw his full-strength team – apart from injured Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard – fall behind right at the start when the League One team, last season’s Wembley winners in the promotion play-offs, cashed in on a lucky break.

And, although David Healy equalised just before half-time, it looked like curtains again for a Fulham team that has not won in 10 matches when Rovers centre back Craig Hinton, who had survived a confident penalty appeal against him when Clint Dempsey tumbled, headed powerfully home to restore their lead on 65 minutes.

Fulham showed so little invention in trying to break down a dedicated defensive action, however, that it was a travesty of justice when Murphy, the former England and Liverpool midfielder who joined them on a free transfer from Tottenham in August, thumped home a smashing long-distance shot.

The goal still could not silence the massed ranks of the travelling Rovers army who gave their favourites magnificent backing, and they almost cheered a winner when Antti Niemi had to keep out a stinging effort from Sean Rigg in the 88th minute.

It was another reminder to former Inter Milan, Blackburn and Finland boss Hodgson that he has plenty of work to do to turn around a Fulham side heading for relegation on current form.

The Pirates fans were in good voice from way before the start and almost raised the roof when Danny Coles gave them the lead after two minutes and 48 seconds.

Fulham failed to clear a throw-in on the left and the ball bounced around in the area before Coles, on loan from Hull, pounced to hit a shot which took a wicked deflection to totally confound keeper Antti Niemi as it ricocheted into the net.

Fulham were stunned – and little less than a minute later could have been two down when, after good work by Coles, David Pipe was preparing to pull the trigger for a clear shot until Paul Konchesky’s tackle took the chance away.

Fulham thought they had levelled in the 11th minute when Dejan Stefanovic headed down a deep right-wing cross from the right for Clint Dempsey to nudge past keeper Steve Phillips but referee Keith Stroud ruled a foul against the big Serbian defender on Rovers’ Steve Elliot.

Inevitably, Rovers came under the cosh as Fulham, desperate to avoid more humiliation after a run of nine games without a win, exerted strong pressure but they closed ranks emphatically whenever there was danger and relieved the stress by almost snatching a second goal when, from Chris Lines’ free-kick, Andy Williams skewered a cross-ball beyond the far post and just failed to pick out the lurking Coles.

Nine and often 10 men behind the ball continued to frustrate Fulham and there appeared to be little chance of a breakthrough as Phillips earned his corn with bravery and defiance behind a solid rearguard action.

But suddenly Rovers seemed to lose their discipline and, following a spate of robust exchanges which referee Keith Stroud struggled to control, Healy was gifted the equaliser by an appalling clearance from Aaron Lescott, older brother of Everton’s Joleon.

It flew straight to Moritz Volz who had moved up into midfield from right back when injured Hameur Bouazza had to leave the field in the 25th minute with what looked like a repeat of the dislocated shoulder he suffered earlier this season.

And the German’s measured cross was perfect for Healy, the man who is so prolific as a marksman for Northern Ireland, to head deftly home for only his fifth Fulham goal.

Fulham started the second half brightly and Murphy, probably their best player, was just wide with a worthy effort but Rovers striker Andy Williams stung Niemi’s palms before Hinton rose unopposed in a crowded penalty area to head the League One team back in front again on 64 minutes.

Naturally, they reverted to their defensive action again and had to see out the last few minutes with some desperation after Murphy’s glorious strike but substitute Rigg was the nearest to a decider, demanding another fine stop by Niemi.