Phil Stant headed the winner on his debut as Fulham recorded a precious win over Preston North End at Craven Cottage this evening.
The centre forward, a £60,000 signing from Notts County, outjumped the visiting defence to power Stacey North’s long throw past Simon Farnworth in the North End goal. Stant’s goal gave the Whites a vital victory in their battle to avoid the drop and he added a cutting edge that had been missing from Fulham’s attack.
The home side had barely threatened as an attacking force in a dour first half that saw the visitors come close when Michael Flynn’s long throw was almost deflected into the Fulham net. Alan Dicks’ side created their first opportunity in the 63rd minute when Simon Morgan forced Farnworth into a sharp save on the edge of his six-yard box and the relieved Preston defence scrambled the loose ball clear.
The Whites survived a scare when Flynn failed to capitalise on a poor clearance from Stannard and then took the lead through Stant’s predatory instincts. The new signing almost grabbed a second with a near post shot that was smothered by Farnworth then set up Gary Brazil for a rasping drive that just cleared the crossbar as Fulham finished with a flourish.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, North, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Ferney, Skinner, Brazil, Davies (Haag 80), Stant. Subs (not used): Finch.
GOAL: Stant (75).
PRESTON NORTH END: Farnworth; Flynn, Swann, Fee, Wrightson, Joyce, Thompson, Harper, James, Ashcroft, Shaw.
ATTENDANCE: 2,750.
