Substitute Neil Trebble’s last-minute strike sealed as smash and grab raid for ten-man Preston North End at Fulham this afternoon.
Trebble surged onto a hopeful long punt forward, raced into the penalty area and fired past Jim Stannard to hand John Beck’s all three points at the end of a forgettable encounter at Craven Cottage. North End were good value for at least a point for both their defensive resolution and their resolve after striker Mark Sale was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence when he touched a loose ball towards goal after referee Clive Wilkes had blown his whistle.
But Fulham struggled to break down their opponents even before Sale’s dismissal. They regularly fell into North End’s offside trap during a tedious first half and carved out just a single chance as clever footwork from John Marshall set up skipper Simon Morgan who fired wide just before the interval. Preston had arguably created the best opening of the first period when Stuart Hicks forced a fine save from Stannard.
The home side did have the better of the play in the second half with Preston keeper Barry Richardson doing well to twice thwart Julian Hails before Alan Cork sent a free header wide from with thirteen minutes remaining. But it was the visitors who had the last laugh through Trebble’s dramatic late winner.
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Marshall, Moore, G. Thomas, Jupp, Cork, Brazil, Adams, Hails (Haworth 81). Subs (not used): Harrison, Mison.
PRESTON NORTH END: Richardson; Fensome, Kidd, Whalley, Hicks, Moyes, Ainsworth (Cartwright 83), Bryson, Rayner, Sale, Flemming (Trebble 85). Sub (not used): Vaughan.
SENT OFF: Sale (50).
GOAL: Trebble (89).
REFEREE: Clive Wilkes (Gloucestershire).
ATTENDANCE: 5,001.
