A relieved Ray Wilkins admitted he was pleased to leave Bootham Crescent with all three points after Paul Peschisolido’s second half winner secured a scrappy win over York City.
Fulham could easily have scored more than the Canadian’s late strike but the promotion chasers were arguably fortunate to claim the victory with York boss Alan Little claiming his side more than merited a share of the spoils – and would have got one if it wasn’t for their lengthy injury list. The Cottagers made the stronger start with Tony Thorpe seeing his goalbound effort cleared off the line by Rodney Rowe.
Rowe, a striker by trade, couldn’t finish himself at the other end when he was presented with a glorious opportunity from Alan Pouton’s cross as Matt Lawrence took advantage of the forward’s hesitancy to nip in and clear the danger. But, after a lively opening 25 minutes, chances were at a premium with both defences on top – and that made for a dour spectacle. The home side went close on the hour when Maik Taylor tipped off a 25-yard free-kick from Neil Thompson, but it was Fulham who broke the deadlock fifteen minutes from time.
Neil Smith surged down the right and picked out Paul Moody but the substitute badly mishit his shot. The ball fell kindly for Peschisolido, who headed in his tenth Fulham goal since his £1.1m move from West Bromwich Albion last October.
YORK CITY (4-4-2): Samways; Thompson, Jones, Reed, McMillan; Bushell, Tinkler, Greening (Tolson 76), Pouton; Bull, Rowe. Subs (not used): Dawson, Jordan.
BOOKED: Reed.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Neilson, Lawrence, Blake, Coleman; Bracewell (Brazier 55), Hayward, Smith, Trollope; Peschisolido, Thorpe (Moody 62). Subs (not used): Carpenter.
BOOKED: Hayward, Smith, Trollope.
GOAL: Peschisolido (75).
REFEREE: Mike Pike (Cumbria).
ATTENDANCE: 4,871.
