Kevin Moore headed another late equaliser as Fulham grabbed a vital away goal to take back to Craven Cottage for the second leg of this League Cup first round tie against Luton Town.
Last season’s FA Cup finalists made the far sharper start with Jim Stannard making a superb save as early as the fifth minute to keep out a shot from former Chelsea striker Kerry Dixon. The Fulham goalkeeper, in outstanding form all night, also was equal to a drive from David Preece and kept out an effort from Paul Telfer as a first half of Hatters’ pressure came to a close.
Fulham had struggled for openings in the final third in the first half but from their first move of any note after the interval Rob Haworth drew a save from Jurgen Sommer. Scott Houghton smashed a shot just wide on the hour mark and then stormed off after being substituted by David Pleat, snatching his tracksuit from the dugout as the home fans voiced their disapproval.
But Luton did eventually take the lead when midfielder Scott Oakes produced a peach of a strike from 25 yards – cutting in from the left wing and firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner with nine minutes left. But Fulham kept plugging away and got their reward for an improved second half showing in the last minute. Robbie Herrera’s corner was flicked on by Alan Cork and Moore glanced his own header into the far corner of Sommer’s net to the delight of the travelling fans behind the goal.
LUTON TOWN: Sommer; James, Peake, Greene, Johnson, Telfer, Preece, Hughes (D. Marshall 75), Houghton (Linton 57), Oakes, Dixon. Sub (not used): Barber.
GOAL: Oakes (81).
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Marshall, Mison, Moore, G. Thomas, Cork, Brazil, Herrera, Haworth, Jupp. Subs: Harrison, Ferney, Bedrossian.
GOAL: Moore (89).
REFEREE: Ray Bigger (Norfolk).
ATTENDANCE: 3,287.
