Fulham ended a miserable run of six straight defeats with a vital victory over Preston North End at Craven Cottage this afternoon – thanks to a dominant display from winger Clive Walker.
Ray Lewington’s side took the lead midway through the first half when midfielder Justin Skinner converted a penalty awarded after Preston’s Alex Jones had been penalised for handball in the box. Fulham might have extended their lead at the end of the first period but Roy Tunks saved superbly from Walker and then watched as Michael Cole’s follow-up cracked against the crossbar. The Whites were rather fortunate to be ahead at the break after a first half that was devoid of any real quality as well as clear-cut chances but they established their superiority in the second half with Walker to the fore.
The former Chelsea winger tormented his full-back throughout a second half where Fulham’s brightest moments came with Walker on the ball. He wasted little time in doubling the home side’s lead two minutes after the interval, lashing in a left-footed finish from Skinner’s superbly weighted pass. Fulham were made to sweat when Mark Patterson curled in a fantastic free-kick with two minutes remaining but they held on to claim a precious three points.
Lewington admitted afterwards: “We were a bit scrappy in the first half and we got the luck that we really needed. I was surprised as anybody when the referee gave that penalty.”
FULHAM: Stannard; Cawley, Eckhardt, Elkins, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Barnett, Walker, Cole, Davies. Subs (not used): Langley, Sayer.
GOALS: Skinner (pen 22), Walker (47).
PRESTON NORTH END: Tunks; Williams, McAteer, Jones, Hughes, Wrightson, Mooney, Joyce, Brazil, Fitzpatrick, Patterson. Subs (not used): Rathbone, Chapman.
GOAL: Patterson (88).
ATTENDANCE: 3,868.
