Gareth Ainsworth bagged both goals as Lincoln City won the relegation six-pointer with struggling Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Imps battled a virus that severely disrupted John Beck’s plans for this crucial fixture but fought their way to a vital victory. They went ahead on six minutes when David Johnson won possession and distributed it to Jason Barnett whilst sitting on the deck. Barnett burst down the right flank before sending over a pinpoint cross that Ainsworth converted with glee.
Fulham might have equalised almost immediately afterwards but Scottish striker Mike Conroy was unlucky to see his shot cannon off the inside of the far post from just inside the penalty area. But the home side switched off at a corner taken by former Fulham midfielder Udo Onwere and Ainsworth grabbed his seventh league goal of the season having been quickest to react to Matt Carbon’s flick on.
The home fans were furious when the referee Clive Wilkes waved away shouts for a penalty after Phil Barber looked to have brought down by Grant Brown and Fulham came closer when skipper Simon Morgan lashed an effort just over the crossbar. They did get a goal back just after the half hour when Northern Irish midfielder Rod McAree headed in a right-wing cross from the hard working Rob Scott.
Johnson could easily have restored City’s two-goal cushion before half-time but his crafty chip of Tony Lange landed just wide. Fulham might have gone in level, though, when Conroy crashed an effort into the side netting when it seemed easier to score. John Robertson escaped without any punishment after handling the ball box, although this time had slipped on the greasy surface and might have been unsighted.
City’s travelling fans – numbering around 400 in total – roared them as the visitors attacked the Putney End in the second half. Chances were few and far between, but the best ones fell to Fulham in the Lincoln box. Conroy had two shots blocked, whilst a late header from John Marshall flew wide as the veteran full back got up in support of the attack.
FULHAM: Lange; Marshall, Herrera, Morgan, Cusack, Blake, Thomas, McAree, Conroy, Scott, Barber (Mison 60).
LINCOLN CITY:
GOAL: McAree (31).
ATTENDANCE: 4,245.
