Match ends, Preston North End 1, Fulham 2.
PrestonPreston North End1FulhamFulham2
Fulham eased their relegation fears by moving seven points clear of the relegation zone with a win at Preston.
Ross McCormack capitalised on poor defending to round the goalkeeper and slot Fulham ahead early on.
Marnick Vermijl's fine solo effort drew Preston level but Moussa Dembele tucked in to earn Fulham back-to-back wins for the first time since October.
The hosts almost levelled through Jermaine Beckford late on but he could not keep his close-range effort down.
A first-half that lacked quality saw Preston's Tom Clarke suffer a serious-looking injury and he had to be replaced early on.
But, despite the absence of their captain, Preston rallied after half-time and equalised when substitute Verrmijl skipped past two defenders and lashed in a low shot.
But Dembele's winner inflicted a first home defeat since January on Preston.
Fulham have now scored more goals away from home than any other Championship side so far this season, netting 29 times on their travels.
Preston manager Simon Grayson:
"It was a frustrating night. Sometimes in games you don't get what you deserve.
"I thought that was the case tonight. We were the better team, created the better chances.
"They got the early goal but we passed the ball better and there was only one team looking to win the game. We weren't helped by some of the tactics they used at times."
Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We are not safe. With six games in front of us, now it's six points we don't have reason to think about a holiday.
"We need to do much for our away supporters who travel with us and push us towards safety.
"It's not time for holiday, we need to give these people something back because we haven't given them too many happy afternoons. We can fix that in these six games ahead of us."
Line-ups
Preston
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Lindegaard
- 15WoodsSubstituted forVermijlat 22'minutes
- 5ClarkeSubstituted forHuntingtonat 11'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 6Wright
- 3Cunningham
- 32Reach
- 4Pearson
- 12Gallagher
- 16Browne
- 25HugillBooked at 44minsSubstituted forBeckfordat 67'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 14Garner
Substitutes
- 2Vermijl
- 10Beckford
- 11Johnson
- 13Doyle
- 23Huntington
- 37Robinson
- 43Kirkland
Fulham
Formation 4-1-3-2
- 1Bettinelli
- 7Fredericks
- 15MadlSubstituted forBurnat 90+1'minutes
- 45Amorebieta
- 13ReamSubstituted forStearmanat 45'minutes
- 8Parker
- 10CairneyBooked at 53minsSubstituted forO'Haraat 58'minutes
- 31InceBooked at 60mins
- 19TunnicliffeBooked at 86mins
- 25Dembele
- 44McCormack
Substitutes
- 3Garbutt
- 5Stearman
- 9Smith
- 22Baird
- 23O'Hara
- 24Lonergan
- 33Burn
- Referee:
- Scott Duncan
- Attendance:
- 10,358
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamFulham
- Possession
- Home62%
- Away38%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 1, Fulham 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jermaine Beckford (Preston North End) right footed shot from very close range is too high. Assisted by Joe Garner with a headed pass.
Booking
Paul Huntington (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Joe Garner (Preston North End).
Post update
Richard Stearman (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marnick Vermijl (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Cunningham.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Garner (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Paul Gallagher with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Dan Burn.
Post update
Greg Cunningham (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Moussa Dembele (Fulham).
Substitution
Substitution, Fulham. Dan Burn replaces Michael Madl.
Booking
Jermaine Beckford (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jermaine Beckford (Preston North End).
Post update
Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
Post update
Paul Huntington (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Moussa Dembele (Fulham).
Booking
Ryan Tunnicliffe (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
