Fulham fightback for replay

12 April 2012

Fulham face a tough replay in the FA Cup third round after Danny Murphy's 74th minute equaliser saw them avoid joining the giant-killing casualties in their 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers.

New boss Roy Hodgson saw his team fall behind to the League One side when Danny Coles' third-minute effort was deflected in, and although David Healy equalised before half-time, Rovers were in front again when defender Craig Hinton headed home.

Murphy saved Fulham with a superb strike from 25 yards which brave Rovers keeper Steve Phillips touched but could not stop.

The Pirates fans were in good voice from way before the start and almost raised the roof when Coles gave them the lead after two minutes and 48 seconds.

Fulham failed to clear a throw-in on the left and the ball bounced around in the area before Coles, on loan from Hull, pounced to hit a shot which took a wicked deflection to totally confound keeper Antti Niemi as it ricocheted into the net.

Nine and often 10 men behind the ball continued to frustrate Fulham and there appeared to be little chance of a breakthrough as Phillips earned his corn with bravery and defiance behind a solid rearguard action.

But suddenly Rovers seemed to lose their discipline and, following a spate of robust exchanges which referee Keith Stroud struggled to control, Healy was gifted the equaliser by an appalling clearance from Aaron Lescott, older brother of Everton's Joleon.

It flew straight to Moritz Volz who had moved up into midfield from right back when injured Hameur Bouazza had to leave the field in the 25th minute with what looked like a repeat of the dislocated shoulder he suffered earlier this season. And the German's measured cross was perfect for Healy to head deftly home for only his fifth Fulham goal.

Fulham started the second half brightly and Murphy, probably their best player, was just wide with a worthy effort but Rovers striker Andy Williams stung Niemi's palms before Hinton rose unopposed in a crowded penalty area to head the League One team back in front again on 64 minutes.

Naturally, they reverted to their defensive action again and had to see out the last few minutes with some desperation after Murphy's glorious strike but substitute Rigg was the nearest to a decider, demanding another fine stop by Niemi.

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