A second half header from Mark Blake proved enough to keep Fulham in the play-off picture as the Whites saw off a below-par Hartlepool United at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Ian Branfoot’s side survived the first half sending of goalkeeper Lee Harrison, who was dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty area, to record a nervy victory and keep their feint promotion hopes alive as we head into the final weeks of the Division Three season.
Hartlepool were decimated by injuries and suspensions with trainee Chris Homer making his debut in midfield, loanee striker Damien Henderson lining up in the centre of defence and full back Shane Reddish captaining their side in the absence of the banned Ian McGuckin. Fulham were on the front foot straight away with Carl Bartley threatening with an early probing run until he was penalised for handball.
John Marshall surged down the right and flashed a dangerous cross right across the face of goal with even the reliable Reddish failing to clear properly, but the visitors survived. Hartlepool’s hopes were given a huge boost when Harrison saw red for panicking and prodding the ball away from visiting striker Paul Thompson as he raced through on goal. The unfortunate Bartley was substituted to make way for third-choice goalkeeper John Gregory.
The new keeper’s first task was to hold a free-kick from Nicky Southall, but Hartlepool struggled to make their one-man advantage count in the second half. It was Fulham who came closest to an opener with Brian Horne just about keeping out a looping shot from Kevin Moore and then denying Micky Adams and Robbie Herrera in quick succession.
The winning goal came from a set play when Blake climbed highest to head home an Adams corner to give the Cottagers the lead.
FULHAM: Harrison; Jupp, Herrera, Hurlock, Moore, Blake, Marshall (Cork 60), Morgan, Bartley (Gregory 35), Adams, Hamill. Sub (not used): Mison.
SENT OFF: Harrison (33).
GOAL: Blake (69)
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Horne; Reddish, Cook, Thompson, Henderson, Homer, Halliday, McCreery (Lynch 45), Ingram, Skedd, Southall. Subs (not used): Maughan, Jones.
BOOKED: Skedd.
REFEREE: Peter Foakes (Clacton).
ATTENDANCE: 3,465.
