Mark Stein was caught up in a diving row after his penalty proved the difference between leaders Stoke City and Fulham at the Victoria Ground this afternoon.
The highly-rated forward had been one of a number of Stoke players frustrated by an outstanding display from Jim Stannard, whose performance in the visiting goal overshadowed opposite number Bruce Grobbelaar’s debut for City, until he took a tumble under a challenge from Mark Newson. Stein converted the spot-kick and clinched the three points for the Potters – to the fury of Fulham’s players and their under-pressure manager Don Mackay.
Mackay fumed afterwards: “It was never a penalty. Stein was falling before Mark even came near him, it’s a world class dive. What’s more the throw-in that led to the incident should have gone our way and not Stoke’s.”
It was harsh on Fulham, who largely nullified the promotion favourites with a display of defensive grit and organisation. Stannard made two splendid stops to deny Stein in the first half and got down well to keep out a goalbound effort from Nigel Gleghorn. The Whites showed spirit to push forward in search of an equaliser, with Grobbelaar tipping over a cross-cum-shot from Sean Farrell and holding an Udo Onwere shot that proved to be the last kick of the game.
STOKE CITY: Grobbelaar; Cranson (Ware 12), Sandford, Butler, Hockaday, Beeston, Foley, Gleghorn, Russell, Shaw (Regis 55), Stein.
GOAL: Stein (pen 72).
FULHAM: Stannard; G. Thomas, Pike (Ferney 75), Marshall, Newson, Tucker, Onwere, M. Kelly, Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Cooper.
BOOKED: Kelly.
REFEREE: T. Lunt (Ashton-in-Makerfield).
ATTENDANCE: 17,935.
