Fulham came from behind to beat Swansea City in a Third Division promotion six-pointer at Craven Cottage tonight and end their dismal recent run of form.
Micky Adams’ men had to show real reserves of character to shake off the disappointment of falling behind early in the second half. Jon Coates punished some poor defending by slotting home having latched onto a lovely through ball from Paul Brayson to put fourth-placed Swansea ahead nine minutes into the second half. Heads could have dropped with the Whites having lost four of their last five league games to surrender top spot, but instead the home side rolled up their sleeves and battled to a vital victory.
They levelled when Darren Freeman stabbed home from close range midway through the second half after Paul Watson flashed a ball across the six yard box after the Swansea wall had blocked a Richard Carpenter free-kick. Swansea substitute Ryan Casey struck the post in a frenzied finale before teenage winger Paul Brooker grabbed a winner four minutes from time. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Roger Freestone saved well from top scorer Mike Conroy after the Scot had raced onto a lofted through ball from Glenn Cockerill, but substitute Brooker followed up to volley home from eight yards at the Putney End.
FULHAM: Walton; M. Thomas (Stewart 80), Watson, Blake, Cusack; Cockerill, Carpenter, Morgan, Freeman; Conroy, Scott (Brooker 75). Subs (not used): Lawrence.
BOOKED: Thomas, Cockerill, Carpenter.
GOALS: Freeman (64), Brooker (86).
SWANSEA CITY: Freestone; Jones, Hills, Edwards, Brown; Walker, Penney, Ampadu; Brayson, D. Thomas (Casey 73), Coates. Subs (not used): Clode, Chapple.
BOOKED: Ampadu.
GOAL: Coates (54).
ATTENDANCE: 4,386.
