Glen Thomas’ second half winner sealed a smash and grab raid for Fulham over struggling Wigan Athletic at Springfield Park this afternoon.
The Latics were desperately unlucky not to continue their mini-revival by picking up at least a point against Ray Lewington’s promotion chasers. Visiting goalkeeper Jim Stannard made a series of outstanding saves to deny Dave Thompson, Neil Rimmer and Craig Ramage. Mark Hilditch missed the clearest opening of them all, somehow spooning a shot over the bar when completely outmarked eight yards out.
Wigan were made to pay midway through the second half when they failed to properly clear a corner after a defensive mistake from Allen Tankard. Clive Walker’s cross was emphatically headed home by Thomas and Fulham survived a sustained spell of pressure from the home side in the closing stages.
WIGAN ATHLETIC: Adkins; Tankard, Beesley, Senior, Atherton, Thompson, Rimmer, Ramage (Entwistle 68), Griffiths, Hilditch, Page.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Thomas, Rougvie, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Mauge, Walker, Cole, Davies. Subs (not used): Elkins, Wilson.
BOOKED: Rougvie.
GOAL: Thomas (68).
ATTENDANCE: 3,056.
