Fulham booed off after draw with Wigan

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Fulham 2 Wigan 2

Ross McCormack and Matt Smith scored as Fulham went nine points clear of the Championship relegation places with four games left.

The Whites began the game brightly at Craven Cottage and went in front after only four minutes.

Sean Kavanagh rolled the ball to McCormack, who curled it brilliantly around Scott Carson from the edge of the box for his 13th goal of the season.

But Wigan, in Gary Caldwell’s first game as manager, found their way back into the game and equalised when Jermaine Pennant fired in a free-kick past Marcus Bettinelli.

With Fulham on the back foot for much of the half, Smith gave the Whites an undeserved lead 10 minutes before half-time.

The striker found a pocket of space 30 yards out and unleashed a sublime shot over Carson and into the top corner.

Cauley Woodrow replaced Smith on the hour mark as Fulham pressed for a third, but the Latics leveled again when a corner was flicked on and Jason Pearce prodded in from close range.

In a frantic finish, both teams pushed for a winner.

Scott Parker tested Carson with a dipping half-volley while James Husband blocked a Pennant header late on.

The Whites almost found the net when Woodrow’s effort was blocked at the near post in stoppage time.

But Wigan held on to share the points as boos rang around the stadium with Fulham’s safety from Championship relegation yet to be guaranteed.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Grimmer, Turner, Burn, Husband; Hoogland, Parker, Tunnicliffe, Kavanagh (Ruiz); Smith (Woodrow 63’), McCormack (Stafylidis 90).
Subs not used: Kiraly, Hutchinson, Kačaniklić, Rodallega.

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