Martin Thomas and Nick Cusack grabbed the goals as Micky Adams’ Fulham stunned promotion chasing Doncaster Rovers by winning their first away game of the season to strengthen their survival bid.
The shock result leaves Rovers behind Wigan Athletic in the race to get out of the English Football League basement and the home side were outfought and outplayed by a Fulham outfit boosted by Saturday’s victory over Exeter City. Adams kept faith with the side that beat the Grecians at Craven Cottage – and was rewarded when the Whites went in front just after the quarter of an hour mark.
Nick Cusack battled for possession and began a five-man move that saw Thomas head home a fine cross from on-loan Paul Barber. Doncaster, who could have moved up to third place with a win, were shellshocked by the concession of that goal and never managed to get home debutant Nathan Peel, who was substituted before half time into the contest. Winger Mike Smith shot wildly over as Rovers sought to respond, but it was the Londoners who were playing the more incisive football.
Rob Scott, whose first two goals for the club delivered victory over Exeter at the weekend, almost doubled Fulham’s lead with a terrific individual run but the former Sheffield United striker’s shot was just off target. But his long throw, which is an undervalued weapon, delivered a second on 31 minutes when Cusack climbed highest and looped a header over the stranded Perry Suckling.
The former Crystal Palace goalkeeper did well to keep out a low shot from Thomas shortly after half-time. Cusack, a revelation having been deployed in a deeper role since Adams took over from Ian Branfoot, created a good chance for Barber before Thomas and Mike Conroy came close to making it 3-0. Sammy Cheung’s side did eventually muster more of a goal threat, with only an excellent tackle from Thomas preventing Colin Cramb from waltzing through the Fulham defence, and Scott Colcombe shooting over the bar from distance.
Rovers did finally muster a shot on target in the dying embers of this contest but Tony Lange was more than equal to Gary Brabin’s header. This wasn’t the result that the form book or league table would have predicted – but Adams’ men are becoming much less of a soft touch. That can only be applauded.
DONCASTER ROVERS: Suckling; Colcombe, Parrish, D. Moore, Kirby, Warren, Schofield, Brabin, Peel (Meara 44), Cramb, Smith (Robertson 59). Sub (not used): Murphy.
BOOKED: Brabin.
FULHAM: Lange; Marshall, Herrera, Morgan, Cusack, Blake, Thomas, McAree (Mison 86), Conroy, Scott, Barber (Williams 83). Sub (not used): K. Moore
BOOKED: Cusack, Blake.
GOALS: Thomas (16), Cusack (31).
REFEREE: Ken Breen (Liverpool).
ATTENDANCE: 2,331.
