Fulham’s promotion ambitions suffered a serious setback as they were beaten 2-0 by fellow play-off hopefuls Doncaster Rovers at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Ian Branfoot had urged his side to respond to the end of their ten match unbeaten run at Preston North End with a positive result in what was billed as a promotion six-pointer, but the home side paid the penalty for failing to make the most of a strong start. The Whites began on the front foot with tame finishes from John Marshall and Kevin Moore from early Micky Adams’ crosses being easily gathered by visiting goalkeeper Dean Williams.
John Marshall was next to miss a glorious chance after Simon Morgan had superbly flicked on a ball in by the bright Robbie Herrera, but the veteran skied a shot high over the bar from close range at the far post. Fulham then enjoyed a let off at the other end when David Roche somehow fired over from six yards out, but the hosts failed to heed their warning.
Graeme Jones’ scrambled finish just after the half hour from an inswinging corner that caused all sorts of problems for Jim Stannard gave Rovers a foothold in the contest that they never relinquished. Williams made a magnificent save to deny Morgan when the Fulham captain found himself unmarked at a corner five minutes after half time and Doncaster, who always looked dangerous on the break after the interval, doubled their lead on the hour mark.
Jones, who had been booked after taunting the home fans having put Doncaster ahead in the first half, turned Duncan Jupp inside out before crossing for Sean Parrish to head Rovers into an unassailable lead. It might have been worse for the Whites as Steve Harper’s curler cracked against the upright with fifteen minutes to play – but Branfoot and Fulham will now that they can’t afford any more slip-ups if they are to keep their Wembley dreams alive.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Hurlock, Moore, Blake, Marshall (M. Thomas 45), Morgan, Cusack, Adams, Hamill. Subs (not used): Harrison, Angus.
ATTENDANCE: 4,031.
