Marcus Stewart scored a golden goal to send Bristol Rovers into the semi-finals of the Auto Windscreens Shield and knock Fulham out on a dramatic night at Craven Cottage.
It was a bitter blow for Ian Branfoot’s side – who performed far better than in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury at the weekend – but were unable to fight back after Stewart’s extra-time strike under the rules of the competition that have been designed to lessen the number of penalty shoot-outs and encourage attacking football.
The hosts took the lead when full back Duncan Jupp took advantage of some shocking marking to head home a Martin Thomas corner at the near post in the twelfth minute, but the fact that the Whites had to battle all the way to end to secure a replay against the Shrews meant that they were unable to maintain the intensity with which they began this contest. Worrell Sterling and Stewart spurned chances to equalise as the visitors began to up the ante, but they were not to be denied for long.
Rovers levelled in the 28th minute when Stewart scored a simple tap-in from barely a yard out after former Fulham midfielder Justin Skinner’s deep free kick was headed on by captain Andy Tilson. Branfoot sent on Rory Hamill and Nick Cusack at half time and the Whites were more threatening in the second period, with the young Northern Irish forward coming closest to winning the game for the Third Division side. An audacious overhead kick flew fractionally wide and when Hamill did put the ball in the net – following up after Brian Parkin had palmed away a powerful free-kick from Danny Bolt – the substitute was adjudged offside.
Both sides pushed for a winner during extra time on a bitterly cold night by the River Thames with Fulham hearts broken by Stewart just after half time in extra time. The striker beat Mark Blake to a through ball from Browning and crept between the centre half and Jupp before rolling a shot between the near post and Tony Lange at the Hammersmith End to keep Rovers’ dreams of another trip to Wembley went and truly alive.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Lange; Jupp, Herrera, Blake, Angus; Morgan, Thomas, Marshall (McAree 90), Bolt; Conroy (Cusack 45), Brazil (Hamill 45).
GOAL: Jupp (12).
BRISTOL ROVERS (4-4-2): Parkin; Channing, Clark, Tilson, Gurney; Sterling, Skinner (Tovey 45), Browning, Miller, Stewart, Beadle. Subs (not used): Higgs, Armstrong.
GOALS: Stewart (28, 106).
ATTENDANCE: 2,479.
