Former Sunderland duo Lee Clark, who scored twice, and Andy Melville gave Fulham a comfortable win - which was spoiled only by David Healy's late consolation goal for the visitors.

It was only the second time that Fulham had scored more than one goal in a league match since last November.

But it could have been more if Karlheinz Riedle had taken a chance in the 79th minute and if the referee had not turned down two penalty claims.

Fulham's goals have been just like buses - none for ages and then three come along in the same match.

The first in the 18th minute was the best moment of the afternoon. Clark set off, swapped passes with Riedle and steered his shot just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington.

Defender Melville got the second, nodding Bjarne Goldbaek's free-kick in at the far post after 29 minutes.

Midfielder Clark's second goal in the 52nd minute was another gem. He set off, beat two defenders and again placed his shot out of the goalkeeper's reach.

Riedle looked certain to score in the 73rd minute when he was through with only Pilkington to beat, but he drove his shot too early and the goalkeeper blocked it, cleared upfield and Healy, on loan from Manchester United, chipped the ball in from an acute angle.

Fulham looked to have claims for two penalties. In the 15th minute Terry Phelan broke away only to be felled by Stuart Talbot as he cut into the penalty area. Referee Fraser Stretton waved play on as he did when Pilkington brought down Riedle in the 79th minute.

The goals apart, the game was no classic. Designated 'Ladies Day' the fairer sex were given a wave from Hollywood veteran Tony Curtis before the game but had little else to warm them up on a chilly afternoon.

Vale looked a poor sight but the Londoners, even with only one recognised forward might have won more convincingly.

They now face Stockport at the Cottage on Tuesday night and manager Paul Bracewell will be hoping Riedle is fit - the German international suffered a groin strain and is a doubt.

Teams:

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Coleman, Morgan, Goldbaek, Ball, Clark, Hayward, Phelan, Riedle.

Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Symons, Trollope, Collins, Davis.

Goals: Clark 18, Melville 29, Clark 52.

Port Vale: Pilkington, Butler (Eyre 46), Widdrington, Naylor (Viljanen 68), Burns, Healy, Bogie, Minton, Talbot, Burton, Donnelly.

Subs Not Used: Musselwhite, Smith, Snijders.

Booked: Naylor, Minton.

Goals: Healy 74.

Att: 10,418

Ref: F Stretton (Nottingham).