Two goals in five second half minutes from Julian Hails and Simon Morgan helped Fulham come from behind to beat Preston North End and move within three points of the play-off places.
Don Mackay was delighted with his side’s spirit and the contribution of striker Sean Farrell. The tall centre forward might not have found the target himself – despite coming close on several occasions – but he proved a handful for the North End defence throughout and had a hand in both goals.
It was an open game from the outset on Deepdale’s unpredictable artificial pitch. Mickey Norbury might have given John Beck’s men a first-minute left after racing free along the right flank but he smacked his shot against the post. Fulham certainly hadn’t headed north to put men behind the ball and could have gone in front themselves had a superb saving tackle from Richard Lucas not denied Gary Brazil a shot on goal.
The Whites came even closer a couple of minutes later when Farrell thumped a header from Martin Pike’s set-piece against the crossbar, but Preston went straight up the other end and opened the scoring. The excellent Norbury made the goal, volleying a cross in from the right towards the back post when Tony Ellis dived in to plant the perfect header past Jim Stannard.
Preston goalkeeper, Glen Johnstone, making his North End debut after signing from non-league Lancaster City in midweek, made an outstanding save to keep out a far post header from Farrell. But the striker’s head didn’t drop and he soon took matters into his own hands – by creating both goals with long throws. Farrell’s first fell invitingly for for Julian Hails to head in the equaliser before another caused chaos in the Preston penalty area and could only be cleared as far as skipper Simon Morgan, whose powerful 25-yarder sent the travelling fans into ecstasy.
Farrell struck a post from a Hails cross with the Preston defence suddenly all at sea and Brazil had what looked like a certain penalty waved away before Glen Thomas cleared off the line from midfielder Martin James in the last minute as the Cottagers claimed a precious three points to breathe new life into their promotion push.
Mackay praised his players’ persistence after the final whistle. “The boys worked very hard and their attitude was first class,” said the Fulham boss. “We were disappointed to be one down at half-time , but what impressed me was the players were determined to put it right. Glen Thomas was suffering with an injury in the second half but he was determined to continue and that epitomised our attitude.
“I was very pleased with the result and I just hope we can continue in the same vein. It was great to have Sean Farrell back today because he’s a big player and we have really missed him up front.”
PRESTON NORTH END: Johnstone; Callaghan (Tinkler 50), Garnett, Lucas, James, Flitcroft, Ainsworth, Ellis, Norbury, Ashcroft, Cartwright.
BOOKED: Tinkler.
GOAL: Ellis (8).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Onwere, Ferney.
BOOKED: Newson, Nebbeling.
GOALS: Hails (56), Morgan (61).
REFEREE: R. Shepherd (West Yorkshire).
ATTENDANCE: 5,858.
