Sean Davis struck a crucial injury-time goal to nudge the Cottagers closer to a Uefa Cup place.

The midfielder scored in the 92nd minute to earn an Intertoto Cup semi-final first leg victory against French side Sochaux at Loftus Road.

Davis' strike came after the hosts had missed a batch of chances to take an early lead which may have led to a more substantial first leg advantage.

Sylvain Legwinski was guilty of two misses, while Luis Boa Morte also missed a decent chance.

And Japanese World Cup ace Junichi Inamoto disappointed when he made his debut in the second half.

Boss Jean Tigana named five Frenchmen in the starting line-up against his home country club as the Cottagers began their two-year groundshare at Queens Park Rangers' stadium.

Former QPR left-back Rufus Brevett was back on familiar territory after recovering from a groin injury - but right-back Steve Finnan's ankle injury prevented a successful return from the World Cup.

Sochaux, who finished eighth in Le Championnat last season - and actually beat Fulham 2-0 in a friendly in November, proved resolute opposition, if not especially threatening.

Their offence was restricted to a couple of long distance efforts which Edwin van der Saar repelled.

Legwinski hit the crossbar and then missed an open goal, a reminder that for all Fulham's polished passing, they have yet to discover a killer instinct in front of goal.

The game deteriorated during the closing period, with Sochaux relying on rare counter-attacks and their bolstered defence frustrating the traditionally shot-shy Fulham strikeforce.

But that tactic was no use to them when Fulham grabbed the only goal of the night with virtually the last kick of the game.

Midfielder Davis latched onto a half-cleared corner and thundered an angled drive into the roof of the net from 12 yards to send the 4,000 home fans into ecstacy.

They must now hope that they can emerge from the second leg at the 20,000-capacity Stade Bonal with either a win or a draw.