Fulham's European adventure remained on track after Jean Tigana's side narrowly edged past Hajduk Split to reach the second round of the Uefa Cup.

Having beaten the Croatians 1-0 in Split a fortnight ago, Fulham twice had to come from behind in the second leg as Zoran Vulic's side went for broke.

First-half goals from Vlatko Djolonga and Hrvoje Vejic gave Split cause for optimism, but Steve Marlet and a Steed Malbranque penalty, hauled Fulham into the second round draw.

Malbranque was the game's outstanding player, prompting countless Fulham attacks, continually probing Split's defence.

Not that Fulham's defence emerged from the game with a great deal of distinction with Rufus Brevett given a torrid time by the impressive Dario Srna and Andy Melville looking a trifle ponderous.

It was Brevett's foul on Srna just outside the box that led to Split's opening goal.

Djolonga's free-kick took a huge deflection off Sean Davis leaving Edwin van der Sar stranded as the ball looped into the net.

Djolonga's set pieces were a regular feature of the game and just after the restart another effort whistled past Van der Sar's left-hand post.

For Split's second goal, Facundo Sava went to sleep, allowing Vejic to escape and head home from Mario Carevic's left-wing corner.

Yet now nearly three months into their European campaign, Fulham showed coolness under pressure each time manoeuvring their way back into the game.

On 20 minutes in a flowing movement Luis Boa Morte fed the ball into the path of Malbranque, who released Sava.