A controversial penalty decision allowed Lincoln City to grab a late point at Fulham this afternoon.
The home side were furious that a penalty was awarded against goalkeeper Jim Stannard when he challenged Lincoln City striker Neil Matthews as the pair contested a 50-50 ball in the Fulham box late on at Craven Cottage. That fury turned to absolute anger when Stannard was shown a straight red card for the foul by referee Rob Harris – and former Queens Park Rangers striker Gary Bannister added insult to injury by slotting the penalty past substitute goalkeeper Lee Harrison.
Fulham were disappointed not to win a game that they should have wrapped up by half time. Micky Adams fired the hosts in front with another fine free-kick after ten minutes, but Ian Branfoot’s side ended up paying the price for failing to build on their brilliant start. Adams himself was culpable as he failed from the penalty spot – seeing his spot-kick smartly saved by Lincoln goalkeeper Andy Leaming after Michael Mison had been tripped in the area.
Adams and Robbie Herrera repeatedly opened up the visitors’ defence by dovetailing effectively down Fulham’s left flank but the hosts failed to make the most of their prolonged pressure. Adams withdrew Mison to bring on Harrison in the aftermath of Stannard’s red card – but Lincoln were quickly reduced to ten men themselves as Steve Foley was shown a second yellow card after tangling with Mark Blake.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Hurlock, Moore, Blake, Mison, Morgan, Cusack, Marshall, Adams. Subs: Harrison, Angus, Cork.
GOAL: Adams (10).
REFEREE: Rob Harris (Oxfordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 3,955.
