Sean Farrell’s second half winner ensured that Fulham’s battle against the drop will go to the last day of the season after the Whites clinched a nervy victory over Rotherham United at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Caretaker manager Ray Lewington rushed Farrell and Julian Hails back from injury so that they could play a part in Fulham’s make-or-break final fixtures and the pair combined for the decisive goal midway through the second half. Right winger Hails beat his man and delivered a devilish cross from the byline for Farell, who ghosted between two visiting defenders, to break the deadlock to the delight of the home crowd.
Jim Stannard made two fine saves from Shaun Goater to preserve Fulham’s clean sheet and set up a must win clash at Swansea City on the final day of the season next Saturday. The Cottagers climbed above Blackpool and out of the relegation places after the Tangerines were beaten 2-1 at Huddersfield Town.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Herrera, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Bedrossian, Hails, Brazil, Farrell (Haworth 75). Subs (not used): Harrison, Ferney.
GOAL: Farrell (65).
ROTHERHAM UNITED: Clarke; Smith, Jacobs, Williams, Breckin, Richardson, Hazel, Banks, Helliwell, Varadi, Goater. Subs (not used): Mercer, Brien, Wilder.
REFEREE: Peter Jones (Loughborough).
ATTENDANCE: 5,217.
