Stockport’s in-form striker Andy Preece grabbed another goal as County conjured up a valuable away win over Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Preece scored the only goal of the game with a superb scissor kick from a well-worked free-kick from John Frain ten minutes before half time as the visitors ensured Fulham’s home curse continued on another frustrating day for Don Mackay.
Fulham’s flaky forward line again failed to fire with Jeff Eckhardt’s header just before the interval representing the home side’s best chance. County always looked dangerous on the break even though Kevin Francis was largely kept quiet by Terry Angus, with Preece almost scoring a second when Frain burst clear down the right flank and cut the ball across the Putney End penalty area.
Gary Brazil saw a shot blocked in a goalmouth scramble before Sean Farrell’s effort was stopped by the bravery of Mark Todd. Mackay introduced Lee Tierling with ten minutes to play but then had to summon Paul Kelly from the substitutes bench after Martin Pike came off worse in a shuddering challenge with Francis.
Fulham look badly off the pace and set for a long, hard winter. It is no wonder the mutinous home fans chanted the name of Ara Bedrossian as the Whites struggled to break through another disciplined defence.
FULHAM: Stannard; Angus, Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Pike (Kelly 88), Jupp, Morgan, Ferney (Tierling 79), Hails, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Harrison.
STOCKPORT COUNTY: Edwards; Flynn, Miller, Todd, Connelly, Frain, Ward, Beaumont, Ryan; Preece, Francis. Subs (not used): Ironside, Carstairs, Finley.
GOAL: Preece (35).
REFEREE: Roger Gifford (Glamorgan).
ATTENDANCE: 3,615.
