Micky Adams saluted the support of the Craven Cottage crowd – after Fulham fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point against promotion-chasing Darlington this evening.
The Fulham manager told his post-match press conference: “The fans were magnificent in getting behind the boys in the second half. It made all the difference.”
The home side made the stronger start to this contest and played the prettier football, but still found themselves two goals behind. Robert Blake burst through the middle of the Fulham defence to give Darlington the lead in the second minute before another shot of his was deflected in off the outstretched foot of full back Robbie Herrera.
Adams made a triple substitution – including the introduction of winger Paul Brooker – changed the game by adding a new dimension to Fulham’s forward line. “I had to change it. The shape was wrong and Mark Blake was struggling at right back. It was my mistake – I accept that, but with Duncan Jupp’s suspension it was a gamble I felt I had to take.”
The alteration paid immediate dividends as Mark Williams combined with Herrera to cross from the left wing and Cusack converted from eight yards out. Fulham then laid siege to the visitors’ goal, with Mike Conroy and Rob Scott going close to an equaliser. The Whites got their reward with three minutes remaining when a long ball from Blake was flicked on by Cusack and substitute Michael Mison bundled the ball home to claim a precious point.
FULHAM: Lange; Blake, Herrera, Moore (Brooker 63), Morgan; Cusack, Thomas, McAree (Williams 63), Barber (Mison 63); Conroy, Scott.
GOALS: Cusack (68), Mison (87).
ATTENDANCE: 2,534
