Fulham had to settle for a share of the spoils at Stockport County this evening two of the Second Division’s early pacesetters played out an entertaining goalless draw.
The teamsheet showed one change from the side that had pulverised Plymouth Argyle last weekend with Jeff Eckhardt returning from a three-match ban in place of Martin Ferney. Fulham’s defensive resolution was tested as the hosts started the stronger with Paul Masefield’s rasping drive from twenty yards whistling inches over Jim Stannard’s crossbar. County should have gone in front on twelve minutes when Chris Beaumont beat Stannard to Gavin Nebbeling’s poor back header but his lob drifted just wide of the far post.
The visitors settled after a shaky start with Nebbeling almost heading them in front and Eckhardt seeing a goalbound shot following a half-cleared corner bravely blocked by Jim Gannon. Just before the break, Gary Brazil was exceptionally unlucky to see his downward header bounce back off the post from fantastic cross from Julian Hails.
County came again in the second period with loud home appeals for a penalty after Eckhardt challenged Ian Muir waved away by referee Bill Burns and Kevin Francis firing wastefully wide from six yards with just Stannard to beat. Eckhardt and Farrell went close at the other end before Brazil drew a fine save from Welsh goalkeeper Neil Edwards after a blistering break. Farrell could have pinched a winner in the closing stages but his 20-yard drive was superbly saved by Edwards – and a point apiece felt like the right result.
STOCKPORT COUNTY: Edwards; Miller, Finley (Matthews 60), Gannon, Todd, Carstairs, Masefield, Frain, Beaumont, Francis, Muir (Knowles 75).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, M. Kelly, Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Ferney, Baah.
REFEREE: Bill Burns (Scarborough).
ATTENDANCE: 4,755.
