Fulham survive Wycombe scare

Fulham's Steve Marlet rescued the tie

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FA Cup third round

Wycombe 2-2 Fulham

A late equaliser from Steve Marlet spared Fulham's blushes at second division Wycombe.

Wycombe upset the odds to reach the semi-finals of last year's competition and they were set to reproduce their giantkilling form when they came from behind to lead the Premiership outfit.

I'm not happy with the referee but I'm glad Marlet scored

Fulham boss Jean Tigana

But Marlet headed home Barry Hayles cross from six yards out on 87 minutes to earn a replay.

Sylvain Legwinski had put Fulham ahead after 46 minutes when he was released in the inside right channel by Steed Malbranque.

But Wycombe's never-say-die attitude was rewarded just 10 minutes later when Jermaine McSporran was brought down by Alain Goma in the area.

Steve Brown kept his cool to beat Maik Taylor from the spot with the minimum of fuss.

And McSporran went on to put his side ahead with a low left-footed strike when he pounced on a poor clearance after 64 minutes.

But it was all to no avail as Fulham piled on the pressure in the dying minutes and nearly won the game with a Sean Davis header.

Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez was, however, delighted with his team's effort.

"We stopped them passing tonight and I've never seen Fulham hit as many long balls in my life," he said.

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Wycombe: Taylor, Senda, Rogers, McCarthy (Cousins 70), Vinnicombe, Currie (Carroll 74), Bulman, Simpson, Brown, Rammell (Ryan 48), McSporran. Subs not used: Roberts, Osborn.

Booked: Senda.

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Brevett, Legwinski, Collins (Hayles 69), Malbranque, Knight (Davis 69), Saha, Marlet. Subs not used: Van der Sar, Harley, Stolcers.

Booked: Hayles.

Att: 9,921

Referee: G Barber (Tring).