Ian Branfoot professed himself very pleased with a point as his patched-up Fulham side held Preston North End to a 1-1 draw at Deepdale this afternoon.
The high-flying home side were frustrated by a fine performance from visiting goalkeeper Tony Lange, easily his best display since signing on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion, and even took the lead through Danny Bolt’s first half penalty. Lange made a string of superb saves to leave Preston reflecting on their first failure to win at Deepdale since September 16.
The visitors rarely threatened as an attacking force but nineteen year-old midfielder Bolt nervelessly tucked away a penalty after Russ Wilcox had flattened Rory Hamill inside the area. Lange’s heroics began with a pair of sharp stops to deny the Third Division’s leading score Andy Saville – and the shaven-headed striker couldn’t believe that the Fulham goalkepeer had somehow kept out his close-range shot just before half-time.
It came as something of a surprise when Lange was beaten midway through the second period – so instinctive were his reflexes. A Terry Angus header dropped kindly for Ian Bryson nineteen yards out and the midfielder rocketed a right-footed shot high into the roof of the net. But Fulham responded well after the equaliser and their defence, well marshalled by the experienced Kevin Moore, held firm. The Cottagers could even have nicked all three points at the death but Robbie Herrera’s fine cross from the left was lifted just over the bar by former Preston centre forward Mike Conroy.
FULHAM: Lange; Jupp, Herrera, Moore, Taylor, Mison, Angus, Hamill (Williams 68), Conroy, Barkus (Brooker 74), Bolt. Sub (not used): Blake.
GOAL: Bolt (pen 27).
REFEREE: Steve Baines (Nottinghamshire).
ATTENDANCE: 8,422.
