A last-minute header from Kit Symons clinched an impressive away win for Fulham and ended Millwall’s four match winning run at The New Den this afternoon.
The Lions could face further censure from the football authorities after several instances of fan disruption during what became an ill-tempered London derby. Two fans ran onto the field and confronted Rufus Brevett, who was pushed to the ground at the final whistle, amid stormy scenes – whilst the majority of the home crowd concentrated their opprobrium at referee Eddie Wolstenholme. The Football Association confirmed that they are awaiting Wolstenhome’s report and Millwall are on a last warning with charges expected after disruption during a home match last month against Manchester City when they were eighteen arrests and Joe Royle claimed his City players had been spat at.
Brevett was racially abused during this game, which looked to be set for a stalemate until the death even after Jamie Stuart had been sent off for a second bookable offence on Dirk Lehmann. Six other Millwall players were cautioned, but Fulham had to wait until the last minute of normal time to make the breakthrough. The home side successfully cleared a corner, but the ball found its way out to Steve Hayward on the left wing. Symons stayed forward and looped a header from seventeen yards over Tony Roberts into the top corner – to the delight of the travelling supporters.
MILLWALL (4-4-2): Roberts; Stuart, Lavin, Nethercott, Fitzgerald; Neill, Carter (Ryan 42; Grant 90), Bircham, Cahill; Harris, Sadlier. Subs (not used): Hockton.
BOOKED: Nethercott, Fitzgerald, Stuart, Neill, Harris, Sadlier, Ryan.
SENT OFF: Stuart.
FULHAM (4-3-3): Taylor; Morgan, Brevett, Symons, Coleman; Bracewell, Hayward, W. Collins (Uhlenbeek 78); Beardsley, Peschisolido, Lehmann. Subs (not used): Smith, Brooker.
BOOKED: Peschisolido, Lehmann.
GOAL: Symons (89).
REFEREE: Eddie Wolstenholme (Lancashire).
ATTENDANCE: 11,876
