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Kellypache

Fulham showed character

last updated Saturday 24th February 2001, 7:48 PM
Fulham player-coach John Collins was pleased with his goal - the third of the season - but admitted: "It was a hard-fought match but we showed a lot of character.

"I enjoyed my goal, it was certainly a very important one."

He added: "The ball fell to me and I took a touch and aimed for the far corner."

Fulham's 10th away win puts them 12 points clear of the rest in Division One and Collins added: "It was obviously nice to get back to winnings way after the midweek defeat at Burnley.

"Gillingham tried to stop us playing and made it hard for us, and that's why my goal when it came was important." Out-of-character Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler was publicly critical of referee Steve Baines following the 2-0 home defeat by leaders Fulham at Priestfield.

It was the Gills' second home defeat in the space of five days and Hessenthaler was convinced his team should have had a penalty in the first half.

Hessenthaler said: "Even the assessor came in to my office afterwards and agreed it should have been a penalty and that the Fulham player involved should have been sent off.

"There was also a good call for another penalty in the second half and I was disappointed with the officials today."

Hessenthaler admitted he was frustrated and disappointed by the result and added: "That's two games that we have performed well in but have given teams chances.

"The first goal came from our own free-kick and then it was poor defending for the second. I think we gave them two goals and we can't afford to do that."

Hessenthaler went on: "We had good opportunities ourselves. Paul Shaw and Marlon King both created opportunities and Nicky Southall just couldn't get in on the end of a cross. We made it hard for Fulham."
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