Fulham produced one of their best performances of the season to grind out a 2-1 win over Torquay United and keep their hopes of reaching the Division Three play-offs alive.
They battled to a pulsating victory over their fellow promotion chasers to the delight of a passionate Craven Cottage crowd, despite seeing midfielder Martin Thomas sent off. The win was vital after the Whites had suffered damaging defeats at the hands of Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End in recent weeks.
Torquay, who had tested Jim Stannard with a flurry of dangerous set-pieces in the early stages, took the lead in the tenth after a dreadful mistake from experienced centre back Kevin Moore. Moore failed to make what looked like a routine interception, allowing Ollie Morah the chance to run in on the Fulham goal. The Islington-born forward unselfishly squared the ball for Ian Hathaway, who curled a fine finish around the stranded Stannard.
Rory Hamill led Fulham’s fightback immediately. The tigerish Northern Irish striker robbed Chris Curran and struck a powerful shot just over the bar from 35 yards out. Hamill then set up his strike partner Nick Cusack, whose header was acrobatically tipped over by Ashley Bayes in the Torquay goal. Hathaway almost grabbed a second with a fine free-kick that rattled the Hammersmith End woodwork, but Hamill was crestfallen when he miskicked in front of an open goal after Cusack had challenged Bayes for a high Micky Adams cross on the stroke of half time.
An end-to-end second half saw both sides striving for the goal that would change the complexion of a fascinating fixture. Duncan Jupp made a vital tackle ten minutes after the interval to prevent Morah from getting into another dangerous position, whilst Bayes had to be alert to claw away a wind-assisted Adams corner that threatened to creep underneath his own crossbar.
Hamill wasted another glorious chance when he fired over having been put through on goal by a precise Simon Morgan pass. But the home side earned their rich rewards in a glorious final twenty minutes. Firstly, Adams curled another superb free-kick around the Torquay wall and into the net to bring the home side level before the home side snatched a dramatic winner. Hamill beat three defenders in a determined run to create shooting space for Cusack. The forward’s shot was hurried and off target but Adams scurried to keep the ball in play and his cut back was met by a venomous Cusack volley.
There was a nail-biting conclusion after Thomas received his marching orders having been shown a second yellow card for a robust challenge, but Stannard claimed a late corner with aplomb to secure a massive three points for the Whites.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Hurlock, Moore, Blake, M. Thomas, Morgan, Cusack, Adams, Hamill. Subs (not used): Harrison, Angus, Mison.
GOALS: Adams, Cusack.
ATTENDANCE: 4,941.
