Fulham succumbed to relegation from the Second Division as they were well beaten by Swansea City at the Vetch Field on the final day of a miserable season.
The Whites needed to win in Wales to avoid the trap door to the fourth tier of English football opening upon them for the first time in their history. Caretaker manager Ray Lewington rallied the troops but his side were always up against as Swansea’s greater pace, power and passing saw them attack from the off and create several chances before Ian Bowen volleyed the home side ahead in the 36th minute after being left free in the penalty area.
Jeff Eckhardt missed a glorious chance to equalise in the second half and substitute Darren Perrett sealed Fulham’s fate five minutes from time when he followed up to score the clinching second after Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard had palmed away a shot from Steve Torpey. Gary Brazil’s last-minute consolation proved too little too late for the Cottagers, who finish a point short of safety.
SWANSEA CITY: Freestone; Jenkins, Clode, Basham, Harris, Ampadu, Bowen, Penney, McFarlane, Cornforth, Hodge. Subs: Torpey, Perrett, Jones.
GOALS: Bowen (36), Perrett (85).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Herrera, Pike (Ferney 75), Morgan, Marshall, Bedrossian (Haworth 75), Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Harrison.
GOAL: Brazil (89).
REFEREE: R. S. Davidson (Leicester).
ATTENDANCE: 4,355.
