A fine equaliser from Gary Brazil saved Fulham from defeat against in-form Chesterfield at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The much-maligned forward, again operating in a wide midfield role, pounced on a loose ball to fire home after the visitors had failed to clear a free kick from Duncan Jupp. This wasn’t a vintage performance from Ian Branfoot’s side, despite the Whites having come off the back of two fine victories, but Chesterfield made all the early running.
Kevin Davies dictated proceedings from an attacking midfield role from the outset. The former England under-18 international posed problems for the home defence throughout. He volleyed fractionally over Jim Stannard’s crossbar early on, forced a sharp save from the Fulham goalkeeper with another shot and then created the opening goal with a clever cross to the far post that picked out David Moss just before half time.
Fulham were far sharper in the second half with the energy of Rory Hamill, who seen a first half effort well saved by Chris Maples, and the invention of Martin Thomas asking searching questions of the Chesterfield defence. Brazil was quickest to the latest rebound after Maples had saved Jupp’s free-kick – and that really should have been the platform for the home side to go on and claim all three points.
Robbie Herrera produced a peach of a cross that Rob Haworth somehow headed over the bar before Nick Cusack came close twice in the dying moments. He shot wide at the near post before dwelling on a great opportunity as he was sent through on goal by a brilliant through ball from Brazil – and Branfoot will have to hope his side aren’t left to rue dropped points like this at the end of the season.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp (Haworth 75), Herrera, Hurlock, Moore, Blake, M. Thomas, Morgan, Cusack, Brazil, Hamill. Sub (not used): Harrison.
GOAL: Brazil (64).
ATTENDANCE: 3,927.
