Andy Sayer scored a controversial winner as Fulham bounced back from conceding seven at Chester City in midweek by beating Chesterfield at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
But the result was harsh on the spirited Spirities and not just because Sayer looked suspiciously offside from Gary Elkins’ through ball before he fired what proved to the winner past a furious Mick Leonard. The Blues had dominated the first half with Paul Hart’s decision to play winger Kevin Eley up front alongside Dave Waller caused plenty of problems for the Fulham defence.
Waller might have opened the scoring in the third minute with a glancing header and it took a vital saving challenge from Jeff Eckhardt to deny Eley a sight of Jim Stannard’s goal after he had surged through gaping holes in the home midfield. Steve Prindiville then forced a low save out of the Fulham goalkeeper when he took aim from distance and Stannard dashed off line quickly to prevent Waller from latching onto a pass from Eley.
Fulham struggled to create serious chances with Mick Leonard bravely blocking their best opening of the first half when Clive Walker tricked his way infield. Ray Lewington suffered a serious blow on the stroke of half time when Fulham’s record goalscorer Gordon Davies collided with the Chesterfield goalkeeper and was unable to re-emerge for the second period.
The visitors kept up the pressure at the start of the second half with Waller being thwarted by another sharp Stannard save at his near post. From the ensuing corner, Chesterfield took the lead. Kevin Arnott’s delivery caused chaos in the Fulham defence and Waller stooped low to head home his sixteenth league goal of the season.
But Chesterfield’s advantage lasted only four minutes. John Marshall turned home a superb cross from man-of-the-match Walker before the moment of controversy arrived in the 64th minute. Elkins played a ball in behind the Chesterfield defence, who looked to have pushed up and caught Sayer offside, but the flag stayed down and the substitute snatched all three points for the hosts.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Thomas, Elkins, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Mauge, Walker, Cole, Davies (Sayer 45). Subs (not used): Wilson.
GOALS: Marshall (56), Sayer (64).
CHESTERFIELD: Leonard; Hoole (Rolph 65), Prindiville, Arnott, Brien, Rogers, Eley, Shaw, Waller, Hewitt, Bloomer.
GOAL: Waller (52).
ATTENDANCE: 4,950.
