Fulham fell to a second damaging home defeat in the space of three days as Scarborough claimed all three points in an entertaining clash at Craven Cottage this evening.
The visitors went ahead in the fifteenth minute when Gary Swann got on the end of Rodney Rowe’s fierce cross to the delight of the Scarborough fans at the Putney End. But Fulham replied immediately from the kick off as Terry Hurlock switched play out to the right for Julian Hails and the winger took advantage of the way the away defence backed off to cut inside and curl a fabulous equaliser in off the post.
Scarborough’s winner came just before half time through an audacious fifty yard strike from cultured midfielder David D’Auria. He was presented with the ball by a shocking clearance from Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard, but it was still a sensational lob that beat the stranded home custodian from long range.
Fulham pushed for an equaliser that never looked like coming and manager Ian Branfoot’s decision to substitute both Duncan Jupp and Micky Adams in the final stages of the game brought boos from the home faithful, which reappeared again at the final whistle. Promotion form this isn’t.
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Adams (Martin Thomas 74), Hurlock, Moore, Mark Thomas, Mison, Jupp (Marshall 74), Cork, Brazil, Hails. Sub (not used): Harrison.
GOAL: Hails (16).
SCARBOROUGH: Kelly; Thompson, Charles, D’Auria (Toman 76), Dunphy, Rockett, Calvert, Rowe, White, Blackstone. Subs (not used): Martin, Young.
GOALS: Swann (15), D’Auria (43).
REFEREE: Ian Hemley.
ATTENDANCE: 2,729
