Jol left dismayed by Fulham’s protection policy

The Londoners surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Craven Cottage and slip from second to third place in Group K.

Djiby Fall headed the equaliser for the Danes with the last action of the match after Hans Henrik Andreasen’s free-kick had brought them back into the contest.

“It was the last cross of the match, so I’m very, very disappointed,” said Jol.

“We couldn’t get forward, we didn’t do what we did in the first half, it was totally different.”

Fulham scored two quickfire goals in the first half with strikes from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei putting them in command, but they were unable to repeat that display after the break.

“They dropped deep and they tried to protect the lead, but you have to score a goal and try and get in their half,” Jol added.

Ten-man Stoke lost their unbeaten record in the competition and had to settle for second place in Group E as Besiktas came from behind to win 3-1 in Istanbul.

With the Potters having already qualified for the last 32, manager Tony Pulis left all 11 players who started against Tottenham last weekend at home but then saw his side take an unlikely 29th-minute lead through Ricardo Fuller.

Asmir Begovic had been superb in keeping Besiktas at bay but in the 59th minute Manuel Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot after Matthew Upson was sent off for felling Hugo Almeida, and goals from substitutes Mustafa Pektemek and Edu secured the points.

Birmingham midfielder Chris Burke is hoping the Blues can continue to defy their critics by claiming a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

City must first beat NK Maribor at St Andrews tonight if they are to have any chance of progressing from Group H and into the last 32. Chris Hughton’s side then need a helping hand from Braga as last season’s beaten finalists have to defeat Club Brugge.

That would see City draw level with Brugge, but give them the runner-up spot behind Braga courtesy of a better head-to-head record against the Belgian side.

“We want it to carry on and get through this group stage,” said Burke. “I believe if we qualify then we can go far.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has taken only 15 players to Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers tomorrow as he rests his star players ahead of this weekend’s game against Sunderland.

Scott Parker, Luka Modric, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Bale have all been left in London.