Fulham failed to beat nine-man Hereford United at Craven Cottage this afternoon as the pressure increased on beleaguered boss Ian Branfoot.
The visitors played the whole of the second half with ten man after Keith Downing was shown a straight red for scything down Martin Thomas in the 25th minute and referee Andy D’Urso showed Steve Blatherwick a second yellow card three minutes before the interval. But the Bulls weren’t seriously troubled in the second half – despite their numerical disadvantage – and comfortably held out for a point.
Fulham’s best chance came before either red card when Duncan Jupp drove into the Hereford penalty area from right back and found Nick Cusack, but the forward’s tame finish was easily gathered by Chris Mackenzie. United might have taken the lead just after Blatherwick’s controversial dismissal when Richard Wilkins headed wastefully over after fabulous play from former Bristol Rovers winger Tony Pounder. Hereford boss Graham Taylor rejigged his defence at half-time, with substitute Neil Lynne forming a solid partnership alongside captain Dean Smith at the heart of the back four.
Mackenzie’s only moment of alarm in the second half came when Cusack raced onto a flick on from Mike Conroy but his shot was turned aside by the Hereford goalkeeper. Northern Irish striker Rory Hamill eventually replaced the ineffectual Conroy with sixteen minutes left but the young striker headed fellow substitute Lea Barkus’ cross into the Hammersmith End with his first touch. Gary Brazil was the likeliest source of a Fulham goal in the closing stages but his three shots from outside the area were all off target.
FULHAM: Lange, Jupp, Taylor (Herrera 52), Gray, Moore, Bowyer, Thomas (Barkus 65), Morgan, Brazil, Conroy (Hamill 74), Cusack.
HEREFORD UNITED: Mackenzie; Evans, Lloyd, Smith, Blatherwick, Downing, Pounder, Wilkins, Cross (Lyne 37), White, Pick. Subs (not used): Stoker, Preedy,
BOOKED: Blatherwick.
SENT OFF: Downing, Blatherwick.
REFEREE: Andy D’Urso (Billericay).
ATTENDANCE: 3,631.
