Former Fulham midfielder John Beck guided Lincoln City to a sensational victory over the Division Three promotion chasers at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Whites were unable to cope with City’s direct and physical style and had only themselves to blame for the shambolic way in which they fell behind after just five minutes. Goalkeeper Mark Walton spilled Terry Fleming’s right-wing cross into the path of Grant Brown and Gareth Ainsworth fired high into the empty net from inside the six yard box. The hosts were fortunate not to be further adrift before Richard Carpenter restored parity with his third goal in nine games since moving to SW6. The midfielder drilled a low shot into the net on the half hour after latching onto a knock down from Nick Cusack.
Fulham made most of the running in the second half with Terry Angus and Mike Conroy both being brilliantly denied by visiting goalkeeper Barry Richardson before conceding another sloppy goal. The Whites went to sleep from Fleming’s long throw, with Colin Alcide flicking it on for Jon Whitney to head home the winner from two yards out. Darren Freeman hit the bar late on an infuriating afternoon for the Fulham faithful.
FULHAM: Walton; Watson, Herrera, Cullip, Angus (Cockerill 82), Cusack, Carpenter, Morgan, Scott, Freeman, Conroy. Subs (not used): Blake, Thomas.
GOAL: Carpenter (31).
LINCOLN CITY: Richardson; Brown, Whitney, Austin, Barnett, Martin, Hone, Ainsworth, Fleming, Alcide, Bos. Subs (not used): Minett, Sterling, Dennis.
BOOKED: Austin, Hone, Ainsworth.
GOALS: Ainsworth (5), Whitney (77).
ATTENDANCE: 6,945.
