Fulham were booed off the field as they continued their slide down the league
table with this surprise home defeat.
Just one defensive error was costly and Grimsby took advantage, with Jack
Lester scoring the winner in the 56th minute.
Finding himself in acres of space on the right Kevin Donovan made the most of
it, putting in an accurate cross which Lester hit home off the post.
Fulham's cup results have taken attention away from their league form.
Grimsby have the worst defensive record in the division, a team that had not
won away from home since September.
It was the perfect occasion, even with Geoff Horsfield and Barry Hayles
missing, for one of their players to score their first league goal since
November (the only goal scored by Fulham since November 26 was an own-goal from
Tranmere's Gareth Roberts) but it all went wrong.
Grimsby's defence enjoyed some luck at times but they played as a unit and
forced the Londoners into futile long-range shots.
There were chances - Paul Peschisolido broke clear with only the goalkeeper to
beat in the 15th minute but hit his shot wide and new signing Bjarne Goldbaek
was inches over the bar with a fine effort in the 22nd minute.
The Dane, who made an encouraging debut, provided a cross seven minutes later
which Peschisolido headed over.
Having got to half time without conceding a goal, Grimsby signalled their
intentions by withdrawing striker Lee Ashcroft and bringing on an extra
midfielder.
They kept Fulham away from their goal area and hoped for the break which came
with Lester's goal.
There were some hectic spells in the Grimsby goal area in the closing minutes
but Fulham were fated not score.
Karlheinz Riedle missed a sitter near the end but for all the money spent on
the squad, and for all the effort made today they managed only one attempt on
target.
Manager Paul Bracewell, whose head was called for by frustrated fans, needs to
bring his side out of a spell that has brought just one win in the past eight
league games.
Teams
Fulham: Taylor, Melville, Coleman, Symons, Finnan, Goldbaek,
Ball, Clark, Collins, Riedle, Peschisolido.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Morgan, Hayward, Trollope, Uhlenbeek.
Booked: Melville.
Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Lever, Livingstone, Gallimore,
Donovan, Black, Coldicott, Ashcroft (Pouton 46),
Lester (Allen 80), Groves.
Subs Not Used: Butterfield, Buckley, Croudson.
Booked: Donovan.
Goals: Lester 56.
Att: 10,802
Ref: M Ryan (Preston).
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