A late penalty from Mark Blake ensured Fulham remained on top of the Third Division table after taking a share of the spoils from this afternoon’s clash with fellow promotion contenders Wigan Athletic.
Several saves from goalkeeper Mark Walton kept the score level as the visitors dominated the early exchanges in front of a crowd nearly 10,000 at Craven Cottage. Wigan took the lead seven minutes after the break when Spanish midfielder Roberto Martinez began a lovely move that was clinically finished by forward David Lowe.
The home side pushed for an equaliser in the second period and are frustrated by a series of fine saves from Lee Butler, but they get a lifeline eight minutes from time when Mike Conroy is elbowed to the floor in the area by John Butler and the referee points to the spot. Reliable centre back Blake kept his cool to level from the spot in front of the Hammersmith End.
FULHAM: Walton; Thomas, Watson, Blake, Cusack; Cockerill (Brooker 71), Carpenter, Morgan, Scott (Hartfield 45); Conroy, Freeman. Subs (not used): Lawrence.
BOOKED: Cockerill.
GOAL: Blake (pen 52).
WIGAN ATHLETIC: L. Butler, Bishop, S. Morgan, J. Butler; Johnson, Martinez (Biggins 72), Kilford, Rodgers; Jones, Lowe. Subs (not used): Sharp, Diaz.
BOOKED: Kilford, Biggins.
GOAL: Lowe (52).
ATTENDANCE: 9,448.
