Centre half Graham Abel scored twice in two second-half minutes as Chester City came back from 2-0 down to pinch an unlikely point from Fulham this afternoon.
The unlikely figure of Stuart Rimmer sparked the fightback when he was brought down by Glen Thomas in the penalty area and Abel smashed the ensuing spot-kick past Jim Stannard. City were galvanised and drew level through the towering defender’s terrific header from Paul Comstive’s corner as the home defence went to sleep. A delighted Chester boss Harry McNally said afterwards: “When you’re bottom of the league and 2-0 down with fifteen minutes to go, this result shows how much character we’ve got within the time. These players will find to the end”.
McNally’s opposite number was Don Mackay infuriated by Fulham’s failure to hold onto an advantage they had worked hard to build earlier in the second half. Glen Thomas scored a tap-in from close range ten minutes after half-time – although the goal owed much to a mistake from visiting goalkeeper Billy Stewart – before a stunning strike from Peter Scott, who fired home fabulously from long-range after latching onto Gary Brazil’s pass, appeared to have the Cottagers coasting to a comfortable win.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Finch, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Scott, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Onwere, Haag.
GOALS: G. Thomas (55), Scott (75).
CHESTER CITY: Stewart; Abel, Whelan, Albiston, Comstive, Preece, Barrow, Lightfoot, Croft, Bennett, Rimmer.
GOALS: Abel (pen 78, 80).
ATTENDANCE: 3,708
