AFC Bournemouth clinched promotion to the Second Division for the first time in their history with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Bank Holiday Monday.
Harry Redknapp’s side made club history in front of more than 4,000 travelling fans on the banks of the Thames after former Fulham goalkeeper Gerry Peyton rolled back the years by saving a first half penalty from midfielder Peter Scott. The home side took an unlikely lead just before the hour mark when John Williams turned a hopeful shot from Jeff Hopkins past the helpless Peyton.
But former Chelsea cult hero Trevor Aylott brought the visitors level within a minute when he converted a penalty after Carl Richards had been brought down in the box. Aylott scored his second of the afternoon nine minutes later to bring promotion within reach. The striker’s tame effort squirmed through the body of Fulham goalkeeper Laurence Batty, who was deputising for the injured Jim Stannard, and on-loan forward Tony Sealy made sure of the win with a stunning strike from 25 yards with four minutes remaining.
Bournemouth can seal the title by beating Rotherham United on Saturday at Dean Court.
FULHAM: Batty; Oakes, Hopkins, Carr, Parker, Scott, Lewington, Barnett, Brathwaite (Donnellan 75), Coney, Davies.
GOAL: Hopkins (57).
AFC BOURNEMOUTH: Peyton; Newson, Morrell, Sealy, Williams, Whitlock, O’Driscoll, Pulis, Aylott, Richards, Cooke. Subs (not used): O’Connor.
GOALS: Aylott (pen 58, 67), Sealy (86).
ATTENDANCE: 9,239.
