Fulham were left frustrated having been held to a draw by Darlington at Feethams this afternoon.
The Londoners were without the services of Duncan Jupp and Terry Hurlock but Martin Ferney was magnificent in midfield in only his second start of the season and Martin Thomas was one of the liveliest performers in a sharp display on the right wing. A bumpy surface made flowing football very difficult and, after a forgettable first half, Fulham had the better chances when they took the game to their promotion rivals after the interval.
Kevin Moore had a header cleared off the line after 57 minutes and Simon Morgan, who went close on a number of ocassions for the visitors, forced a fine save from Mike Pollitt with time ticking by. Jim Stannard spread him well to deny home striker Robbie Painter just after the interval. Rory Hamill was always a threat to one of his former employers, but the Cottagers couldn’t find a late goal to take all three points.
Fulham boss Ian Branfoot said afterwards: “If you’d have asked us when we got off the bus, we might have said we’d have been happy with a draw. But having played the game, I think the lads were disappointed. They thought we deserved to win and should have come away with three points. But we’re still unbeaten and as long as you’re unbeaten, then confidence is high.”
DARLINGTON: Pollitt; Appleby, Himsworth, Banks, Crosby, Reed, Kirkham, Olson, Gaughan, Painter, Warboys. Subs (not used): Chapman, Collier, Gregan.
BOOKED: Banks.
FULHAM: Stannard; Finnigan, Herrera, Ferney, Moore, Blake, M. Thomas, Morgan, Cusack, Brazil, Hamill. Subs: Harrison, Angus, Mison.
BOOKED: Finnigan, Hamill, Cusack.
REFEREE: Scott Mathieson (Stockport).
ATTENDANCE: 2,113.
