Barnsley answered their promotion critics with a crucial 1-0 Division One win
over Fulham at Oakwell thanks to Neil Shipperley's late first-half strike.
The Tykes had been reeling from Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Birmingham, and boss
Dave Bassett will have been delighted with their response.
They looked the hungrier of the two sides from the outset - although in truth
it was an opening short of any goalmouth action.
Shipperley and the recalled Macedonian striker Georgi Hristov looked lively as
the likes of Craig Hignett and Eric Tinkler probed for an opening behind them.
But for all their possession Barnsley were kept at arm's length by the Fulham
rearguard.
Barnsley looked to have credible shouts for a penalty turned away when Darren
Barnard appeared to have been felled by Andy Melville's lunge.
Fulham's best chance fell on 22 minutes when livewire Barry Hayles flashed his
shot across the box.
The visitors posted another warning to Bassett's men on 26 minutes when Steve
Finnan worked himself a yard of space on the edge of the area, but he could only
direct his effort wide of a relieved Kevin Miller.
Fulham were slowly building in confidence and posing more of a threat, and
Finnan was again denied after Chris Barker failed to clear the ball from the
danger area.
With seven minutes of the half remaining it was Finnan who cut the ball back
to Hayles whose shot was blocked, but the rebound fell to Sean Davis who rifled
in a shot that Miller did well to hold.
But Barnsley are not in the promotion mixer for nothing, and the lead came
four minutes from the break.
Shipperley was inches away from opening the scoring after good work from
Hignett and Barker, with Fulham full-back Terry Phelan almost putting into his
own net.
From the ensuing corner Shipperley made no mistake after Barnard's centre,
flying in at the far post to put in Hignett's flick which carried the ball on
just far enough.
Barnard and Steve Hayward were then booked as tempers flared before the
whistle went for the break.
Fulham boss Paul Bracewell signalled his intentions, introducing the
pocket-sized Paul Peschisolido for the second half for former Chelsea man Bjarne
Goldbaek - and the Canadian soon tested Miller.
Fulham looked a little more potent in attack, and substitute Wayne Collins put
wide at the near post under pressure after Hayles had run Barker to the
byeline.
Mike Sheron came on in place of Hristov as Bassett tried to bring his men to
the boil with less than half-an-hour to play, and Hayles found himself in the
book for dissent.
Fulham looked dangerous on the break but could not find the killer pass.
Phelan almost lashed in the equaliser after Peschisolido's cross was glanced
towards him - but the former Manchester City man's effort was inches too high.
Tinkler was forced off after a collision in the centre circle and was replaced
Robbie Van der Laan - but time simply ran out for Fulham.
Teams:
Barnsley: Miller, Curtis, Barker, Morgan, Chettle, Hignett,
Barnard, Appleby (Thomas 70), Tinkler (Van Der Laan 82),
Shipperley, Hristov (Sheron 63).
Subs Not Used: Eaden, Dyer.
Booked: Barnard.
Goals: Shipperley 41.
Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Phelan, Melville, Coleman, Hayward,
Morgan (Lewis 66), Ball, Goldbaek (Peschisolido 46),Davis (Collins 46), Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Symons, Hahnemann.
Booked: Hayward, Hayles.
Att: 14,262
Ref: G Laws (Whitley Bay).
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