Mathew Ryan has backed Lewis Dunk to learn from the rare mistake which gifted Fulham a goal.

The Australian keeper has become accustomed to Dunk and Shane Duffy defending defiantly in front of him.

So it came as a surprise when Dunk, on his return from ankle trouble, was caught in two minds and presented Aleksandar Mitrovic with a free run at goal.

Ryan saved the Serb's first effort but could do nothing about the follow-up which put Albion 2-0 down.

Ryan said: "Everyone's human. It's unfortunate it had to happen on his return. He'll learn from it. Being born and bred here he feels every moment for the club, good and bad.

"He's in good spirits. He'll learn from that situation and I'm sure it won't happen again."

Ryan saved Albion late-on after Glenn Murray dragged them back to 2-2. He stayed on his feet when Mitrovic threatened to pinch the points and avoided conceding a penalty.

"It is what I've grown up doing," Ryan said. "I just kept my composure and my decision-making process. I didn't think I could win the ball first time, so I tried to close the space as quick as I could and get in his face without over-committing and giving a penalty away.

"I managed to stay on my feet and it was a good decision."

Ryan still regards the result as two points dropped, despite Albion's Murray-inspired fightback.

"Definitely disappointed," he said. "We are at home, we pride ourselves on our home form, trying to make this place a fortress. We wanted to get three points and we've fallen short.

"Given the circumstance, we can take a little respite in the character we showed at 2-0 down. That is always important. It is not always rosy and in those difficult times it was good that in the end we came back and got something.

"Unfortunately, we conceded two soft goals and we weren't clinical enough in the final third. That's what hurt us."

Ryan now heads off with Australia for a week-long training camp in Turkey under new manager Graham Arnold, his mentor and former coach with Central Coast Mariners where Usain Bolt has launched his football career.