John Marshall’s dramatic equaliser rescued a point for a wasteful Fulham side at Wigan Athletic this afternoon.
The veteran midfielder volleyed home in the 81st minute after Simon Morgan had headed Gary Brazil’s deep cross back into his path from the far post. Marshall’s late intervention came as a real relief to the Londoners, who had dominated this contest but looked set to pay for failing to take a series of chances.
They also made the worst possible start after falling behind in the third minute through a comedy of errors at the back. A poor back pass from Duncan Jupp left Jim Stannard in all sorts of strife and the Fulham goalkeeper’s hurried clearance only found Andy Lyons on the left wing. Lyons delivered an inch-perfect cross for Mark Leonard to head home the easiest goal of his career. But the Latics only forced Stannard into one further save in the remaining 87 minutes with Lyons and Dave McKearney failing to hit the target from close range, with the latter denied by an excellent saving tackle from Robbie Herrera.
Rory Hamill almost took advantage of his first Fulham start when he hit the crossbar with a fierce left-footed strike after being teed up by Marshall, but that opportunity became one of many that past Ian Branfoot’s side by. Gary Brazil headed wide and missed the target with a left-footed effort from eight yards out. It looked as if Fulham’s luck was out until Marshall offered a reminder of his enduring quality with nine minutes left.
Wigan threw bodies forward in search of a late winner. The home contingent within Springfield Park screamed for a penalty when Andy Farrell’s shot appeared to strike Mark Blake on the arm, but referee Ken Lupton waved play on. The hosts carved out another chance in the last minute when substitute David Adekola latched onto a through ball from Ian Kilford but blazed over the bar in keeping with a game where the finishing was well below par.
WIGAN ATHLETIC: Farnworth; Carragher, Jakub (Strong 48), Miller, Robertson, Farrell, McKearney (Adekola 85), Leonard, Rimmer, Lyons. Sub (not used): Statham.
BOOKED: Robertson, Lyons.
GOAL: Leonard (3).
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Mison (Ferney 54), Moore, Blake, Marshall, Morgan, Cusack, Brazil, Hamill. Subs (not used): Harrison, Angus.
GOAL: Marshall (81).
REFEREE: Ken Lupton (Stockon-on-Tees).
ATTENDANCE: 1,791.
