Danny Bolt lashed a left-footed strike against the crossbar as Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion played a goalless stalemate in the second round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Ian Branfoot’s boys now face the tricky task of winning at the Goldstone Ground in ten days time if they want to reach the third round of the world’s oldest club cup competition. The Whites enjoyed more of the ball and created the better chances but they struggled to recreate the fluency and penetration that had seen them score seven times against Swansea City in the first round last month,
Brighton rather battoned down the hatches in a bid to impress new boss Jimmy Case and the Seagulls had something of a point to prove – having been beaten over two legs by the Whites in the Coca Cola Cup back in August. The home side made the early going with Duncan Jupp getting forward down the right flank and sending over a number of dangerous crosses, even if Mike Conroy – who hit a hat trick in the previous round – miscued badly when one dropped at his feet.
Brighton’s best move of the first period culminated in Ireland international Josh Byrne heading just wide of the far post. Conroy headed harmlessly over the bar when picked out by a brilliant Bolt ball, but the hosts kept up the pressure after the interval. Nick Cusack drew a fine save from Nicky Rust having been fouled by Paul McCarthy and the visiting back four held firm even after a pair of probing runs from Michael Mison set up chances for Lea Barkus and Martin Thomas.
Seagulls top scorer Stuart Storer looked favourite to score in the last ten minutes when played through by right back Peter Smith but Lange dashed from his line to deal with the danger. Fulham pushed forward in search of a late winner and came so close when Bolt battered the crossbar with a venomous drive after Rust punched Jupp’s cross straight to the midfielder under pressure from Cusack.
These two will meet again on Thursday 16 December, with the replayed screened live by Sky Sports, and the winner set to host the winner of the tie between Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United in round three.
FULHAM: Lange, Jupp, Herrera, Mison (Williams 85), Moore, Angus, Thomas, Barkus (Brooker 62), Hamill, Conroy, Cusack. Sub (not used): Taylor.
BOOKED: Conroy.
ATTENDANCE: 8,052.
