Gary Brazil lashed home a late winner as Preston North End made light of their injury crisis to earn all three points against a below-par Fulham side at Deepdale this afternoon.
The hosts took the lead on eleven minutes when Jeff Eckhardt completed missed a cross from Rob Atkins and Gary Swann took full advantage by beating Jim Stannard from ten yards out. Clive Walker almost equalised for the Cottagers midway through the first half but North End goalkeeper David Brown did well to tip away the former Chelsea winger’s cross-shot from the left.
Fulham thought they had salvaged a point with five minutes remaining. Michael Cole made a strong run down the right and when Atkins made a mess of intercepting his cutback, the ball ran for Gary Barnett to rifle home an equaliser. But Brazil secured all three points in the last minute for John McGrath’s side when the clever strike somehow found a yard of space in a crowded penalty area to fire home from fifteen yards.
PRESTON NORTH END: Brown; Atkins, Swann, Allardyce, Rathbone; Ellis (Hildersley 58), Mooney, Chapman, Williams; Jemson, Brazil. Subs (not used): Worthington.
GOALS: Swann (11), Brazil (89)
FULHAM: Stannard; Oakes, Eckhardt, Hopkins, Elkins, Marshall, Scott, Skinner (Barnett 75), Achampong (Davies 58), Walker, Cole.
GOAL: Barnett (85).
ATTENDANCE: 4,192.
