Gordon Davies broke Bedford Jezzard’s league goalscoring record as Fulham came from 2-0 to claim a point at Swansea City this afternoon.
The Welsh legend struck his 155th league goal in Fulham colours with nine minutes to go after Leroy Rosenior had headed against the post from Mark Newson’s cross to complete an unlikely comeback at the Vetch Field. Davies’ moment of glory followed a controversial penalty, converted by Gary Brazil two minutes into the second half, when Paul Raynor had been adjudged to have brought down Davies in the box.
Dicks’ side had started strongly, with Swansea’s defence still adjusting to the absence of the departed Andy Melville and the suspended Mark Harris, as Rosenior sent a header just over the bar from Stacey North’s long throw and then fired wide of the near post after the home side failed to clear a free-kick.
But Terry Yorath’s side seized control of the contest with Paul Chalmers opening the scoring on twelfth minutes when he converted a clever pass from Andy Watson’s pass. Gilligan doubled the lead two minutes before the break after a dreadful mistake by North allowed Watson to get on the end of Andy Legg’s long throw. Fulham could felt hard done to at being 2-0 down, especially as Lee Bracey made a brilliant save to deny the rampaging Rosenior between the Swans goals. Dicks praised Fulham’s ‘fighting spirit’ afterwards as they battled back to claim a point to ruin Yorath’s successful week after the Swans boss had guided Wales to a wonderful European Championship qualifying victory over Belgium.
SWANSEA CITY: Bracey; Trick, Coleman, Legg, Hough, Raynor, Coughlin, Chalmers, Watson, Gilligan, A. Davies. Subs (not used): Thornber, Walker.
BOOKED: A. Davies, Hough.
GOALS: Chalmers (12), Gilligan (43).
FULHAM: Stannard; North, Pike, Morgan, Newson, Ferney, Kelly, Brazil, G. Davies, Milton (Cobb 61), Rosenior. Subs (not used): Skinner.
BOOKED: Newson, North.
GOALS: Brazil (pen 47), G. Davies (80).
REFEREE: John Martin (Hampshire).
ATTENDANCE: 4,500.
