Steve Livingstone scored twice as Grimsby Town inflicted Fulham’s first home defeat of the season at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Mariners definitely deserved all three points as they played the sharper football throughout and offered Micky Adams’ a stark reminder of what is required to succeed in the Second Division. Livingstone headed the visitors in front midway through the first half after capitalising on some defensive hesitancy in the Fulham box to loop an opportunistic header over Mark Walton and into the top corner. It was the first league goal conceded by the Whites at Craven Cottage this term.
Fulham pushed for an equaliser but found visiting goalkeeper Jason Pearcey in superb form. Their hopes of taking anything from this encounter were dashed four minutes from time when Livingstone slide home his second of the afternoon from close range after working a couple of one-twos down the left flank with the lively Kingsley Black. The striker’s double sealed Grimsby’s first win at the Cottage in 64 years.
FULHAM: Walton; Lawrence, Cullip, Blake (Thomas 61); Smith, Herrera, Hayward, Morgan, Brooker; Moody, Newhouse (Scott 61). Subs (not used): Carpenter.
BOOKED: Moody, Hayward.
GRIMSBY TOWN: Pearcey; Gallimore, Lever, Handyside, Butterfield (McDermott 63): Groves, Donovan, Holsgrove, Black; Livingstone, Nogan (Lester 55). Subs (not used): Gilbert.
BOOKED: Black, Handyside.
GOALS: Livingstone (23, 86).
ATTENDANCE: 6,874.
