A great goalkeeping display from Gary Kelly helped battling Bury hold injury-hit Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Under-pressure Cottagers boss Ian Branfoot was disappointed to see his side’s winless run extended to nine games as they couldn’t force a winner despite dominating proceedings but professed himself pleased that his makeshift defensive unit managed to keep Bury’s free-scoring strike partnership of Mark Carter and Phil Start quiet. Danny Bower commanded proceedings imperiously from centre half impressively and forged an encouraging partnership with the excellent Terry Angus at the heart of the defence, meaning that the Whites coped well enough without the services of injured trio Mark Blake, Duncan Jupp and Robbie Herrera.
Chances were few and far between in a scrappy first half. Martin Thomas came closest for the home side when his shot was tipped wide by Kelly, whilst Lee Harrison – preferred again in goal to Tony Lange – bravely blocked an effort from former Barnet forward Carter at the other end.
Fulham enjoyed by far the better of the second half. Thomas saw a shot blocked by Kelly’s legs before Conroy headed wide from Nick Cusack’s cross. Teenage winger Paul Brooker came off the bench midway through the second half for his senior debut and won a free-kick within two minutes after a mazy dribble. Kelly scrambled across his line to turn Gary Brazil’s effort over the crossbar and then saved an Angus header from the ensuing corner before skipper Simon Morgan’s shot was blocked.
The home side kept pushing for a winner but Bury might have snatched it at the death had it not been for an alert piece of defending from Tony Finnigan, who dived in to prevent substitute Dave Lancaster from scoring after he sauntered past two Fulham defenders.
Speaking after the final whistle, Branfoot offered an upbeat assessment. The Fulham boss said: “We are going in the right direction and I’m sure we can build on this performance in the next few games. We created the chances and but for a few saves from their keeper, we would have won it.”
FULHAM: Harrison; Finnigan, Taylor, Bower, Angus; Mison, Thomas (Barkus 74), Morgan, Cusack (Brooker 66); Conroy, Brazil. Sub (not used): Bolt.
ATTENDANCE: 3,803.
