Lewis Dunk's goalline clearance in stoppage time denied Fulham the chance to close the gap on Brighton & Hove Albion as the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw at Amex Stadium.
Brighton's Leandro Trossard had his strike saved by the feet of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who then kept out Dunk's header shortly after.
Fulham's Ivan Cavaleiro flashed a shot past the post before Brighton's Pascal Gross hammered a low shot wide.
In the second half, Neal Maupay fired over as Brighton continued to press for the opening goal.
But Fulham had the best chance to win it in the final moments, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek's goal-bound shot was kept out by Dunk's brilliant clearance.
Brighton stay 17th with 18 points, five ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who have a match in hand.
See: Brighton report | Fulham report
Next fixtures
Brighton: 31 Jan v Spurs (H)
Fulham: 30 Jan v West Brom (A)
Match officials
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Richard West. Fourth official: Gavin Ward. VAR: Andre Marriner. Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood.
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