Fulham slipped out of the play-off places after twice being pegged back by Preston North End at Craven Cottage this afternoon to extend their winless run to five games.
Manager Ian Branfoot admitted his side have ‘slipped off the boil’ after watching the Whites throw away a lead handed to them through terrific strikes from Martin Thomas and skipper Simon Morgan. Midfielder Thomas powered home a fine finish from 15 yards after running onto a couple of headed flick-ons from strike partners Mike Conroy and Nick Cusack.
North End played a lot of pretty football but struggled to break down a Fulham defence well marshalled by Mark Blake and Terry Angus. Andy Saville smashed an effort against the crossbar, but Preston did level just after the half hour mark. Robbie Herrera stupidly scythed down Steve Wilkinson inside the box and Ian Bryson sent Tony Lange the wrong way from the spot.
But a Branfoot blast during the half-time break had the desired effect as the Whites threw numbers forward straight from the restart. Skipper Morgan lashed an unstoppable home effort from 25 yards that arced into the net via the junction of crossbar and far post to the delight of the Hammersmith End.
But Preston took just three minutes to restore parity. A panicky clearance from Gary Brazil fell nicely for Simon Davey, who ruthlessly fired past Lange. The home side laid siege to Preston’s goal in search of a winner – but couldn’t conjure up a third goal. Nick Cusack came close on two occasions and Michael Mison headed wide, but substitute Rory Hamill was denied by a superb save from visiting goalkeeper Vaughan.
A bruised Branfoot put it plainly after the final whistle:
“I thought we were crap in the first half. We played like a bunch of tarts. If you do not show character, you’ve got no chance. I told them at half time that players like Alan Shearer are successful because they are fighters. It was a minor success today because we didn’t get beat.”
FULHAM: Lange; Jupp, Herrera, Angus, Blake; Mison, Morgan, Thomas, Cusack; Brazil, Conroy (Hamill 69). Subs (not used): Harrison, Bolt.
GOALS: Thomas (12), Morgan (46).
ATTENDANCE: 5,209
