Daryl Murphy scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season as Town defeated Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage. The Championship's top scorer netted on five and 45 in a first half in which the Blues could have been further ahead, before Ross McCormack pulled one back for the Cottagers 16 minutes from time but the three points were never seriously under threat.

Tyrone Mings, Kevin Bru and Jay Tabb returned to the Town starting line-up with Jonny Parr and Stephen Hunt dropping to the bench, while Darren Ambrose missed out having picked up a hamstring niggle.

Dean Gerken was replaced on the bench by Paddy Kenny, the former Colchester man having suffered a hand injury, while David McGoldrick was left back in Suffolk having also missed the 2-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday with a thigh problem.

Irish U21 international winger Dylan Connolly was named as a sub for the first time since joining the club, while Cameron Stewart travelled but missed out on a place in 18.

Adam McDonnell, still unavailable with his clearance from FIFA yet to come through despite having been signed in September, also made the trip.

Former England international Scott Parker was back in the Fulham starting line-up, alongside ex-Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe.

The Blues, backed by a following of more than 4,000, including 250 who had made the final leg of the trip by boat, started with a midfield diamond matching the home side’s system with Bishop at the most advanced point, Tabb on the left, Bru on the right and Cole Skuse in the deeper role.

Town might have gone ahead within the first minute, Murphy crossing low to strike partner Freddie Sears but his shot was straight at Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli.

The Blues continued to threaten and in the fifth minute Shaun Hutchinson was forced to turn a Sears cross from the right behind.

And from the corner Murphy grabbed his 20th goal of the season to put his side in front. Tabb sent the ball in from the left and the Irishman’s header struck a defender before beating Bettinelli.

Murphy suffered a blow to his head as he scored his goal, what appeared to be a nose injury subsequently requiring lengthy treatment and a new shirt, so the celebration was somewhat muted for a man who had just become the first Town player to net 20 league goals in a season since David Johnson scored 22 in the 1999/00 season.

Fulham had most of the ball in the period after Town’s goal but without being able to cause the Blues any real danger. All too often they eventually resorted to long balls over the top which came to nothing.

On 22 skipper Luke Chambers failed to deal with a deep ball from the right, allowing Alexander Kacaniklic to cross low from the left but Christophe Berra cut it out.

At the other end, Bishop, by now playing in a wide right role with Bru in the centre with Skuse, fed Sears inside the area to the left, but the former Colchester man’s shot was blocked.

But, with rain now falling heavily, the game mostly consisted of Fulham playing the ball around in midfield but unable to find a way through the Blues’ backline.

Town looked the more dangerous side on the break, a defender’s toe preventing Murphy’s 30th minute cross from the left from finding Sears. From the corner, the ball came out to Bishop but the midfielder hit his shot into the ground.

A minute later Cottagers skipper Parker brought the ball forward before feeding Hugo Rodallega, but the Colombian’s first touch let him down and Bartosz Bialkowski claimed.

On 33 Kacaniklic cut in from the right having switched flanks earlier in the half and hit a low shot which Bialkowski pushed around his post.

The home side were beginning to put the Blues under some pressure, Parker lifting a shot just over from the edge of the box after a corner had been cleared to him.

However, Town came close to making it 2-0 in the 36th minute when, after good work from Skuse and Bishop as the Blues broke, the ball ricocheted into Sears’s path in the clear to the right of goal. Fortunately for Fulham, Bettinelli blocked his shot.

The Blues again should have added to their lead a minute later when Murphy held off Hutchinson down the left and crossed. The ball reached Sears, who moved it on to Bishop but Bettinelli acrobatically saved to his left.

Town finally scored the second goal their first-half performance fully deserved in the final scheduled minute. Bishop won the ball on the right just inside the Blues half. Bru found Skuse, who brought the ball forward and moved it left, where Tabb fed Mings.

The left-back whipped over a low ball, which deflected to Murphy on the right of the area, the striker taking a touch before curling home his 21st goal of the campaign.

After Tabb, who had earlier required treatment to a head injury having been blocked off somewhay cynically by Jazz Richards, was replaced by Jonny Parr, the half-time whistle was blown.

Town fully deserved their lead and probably should have been even further ahead with Sears and Bishop both squandering decent chances.

Having got the early goal, the Blues challenged Fulham to find a way through them but Bialkowski in the Town goal had rarely been seriously threatened.

The Blues always posed more danger on the break with two-goal Murphy once again outstanding as he took a season’s total beyond the 20-goal mark.

Former Town loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe shot over shortly after the restart as the home side looked to get back into a game which already appeared a lost cause.

On 50 Bettinelli was off his line quickly to claim at Parr’s feet after a sharp first-time through ball from Bru.

The second half begun in much the same pattern as the first with the home side unable to seriously test Bialkowski. In the 56th Lasse Vigen Christensen crossed from deep on the right but Rodallega couldn’t keep his header down.

At the other end, Parr scuffed a shot wide from distance before Berra was somewhat harshly booked for a foul on Kacaniklic. Ross McCormack, who came close to joining the Blues during Roy Keane’s time as Town boss, curled the freekick well over.

In the 68th minute, after Murphy had been penalised for a high boot as he looked to hook a Berra header from a corner beyond Bettinelli, Noel Hunt replaced Sears, who was warmly applauded off by the large Blues following. Fulham switched Rodellega for Brian Ruiz to cheers from the home fans.

As the game moved into its final 20 minutes, Kacaniklic was found deep inside the Town box but Bru did enough to prevent the Swede from getting in a clean shot at goal, forcing the ball behind from a corner, which Town defended comfortably.

Bishop hit a 73rd minute strike from the edge of the box after Parr had brought the ball forward along way.

A minute later, Fulham pulled a goal back out of nothing. Tommy Smith missed a cross in from deep on the left and McCormack behind him made no mistake from close range.

The goal seemed to finally wake the home side and their fans up and the Blues found themselves under serious pressure for the first time, Kacaniklic hitting a shot on the turn over.

Soon after, Paul Anderson replaced Bishop for the Blues, then Bru was booked for a foul on Konstantinos Stafylidis.

Town twice came close to making it 3-1 in the 82nd minute following a freekick on the left.

Hunt hooked the ball back in from the right towards Murphy, but it was deflected out to Mings, whose powerful shot was blocked on the line by Stafylidis, who handled according to a number of Town players. The loose ball fell to Berra, whose shot was superbly tipped over by Bettinelli.

Skuse was booked for a foul on Ruiz as the game moved towards its final five minutes, then Patrick Roberts replaced Kacaniklic for the Cottagers.

On 89, with Fulham’s push for an equaliser having stalled somewhat, Tunnicliffe was booked for a frustrated late challenge on Mings.

In injury time Hunt required lengthy treatment after an aerial collision with Hutchinson and was eventually taken off on a stretcher with the Blues ending the game with 10 men.

Despite McCormack’s goal giving the home side hope of grabbing a point in the closing stages, anything other than a victory would have been harsh on Town, who really ought to have taken more of their chances in the first half.

After the brief flurry following the Cottagers’ goal, the Blues, who have put their tricky spell firmly behind them, were never in any real danger of conceding a second and Mings and Berra were unfortunate not to add to the Blues’ lead at that stage.

With Middlesbrough and Derby in FA Cup action this weekend and Bournemouth drawing 1-1 at home to Huddersfield, the result sees the Blues remain in fourth but now only two points behind the Cherries, who return to the top, and Boro and one off the third-placed Rams.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis, Christensen (Woodrow 64), Tunnicliffe, Parker, Kacaniklic (Roberts 85), Rodallega (Ruiz 68), McCormack. Unused: Kiraly, Burn, Grimmer, Fofana.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru, Bishop (Anderson 76), Tabb (Parr 45), Murphy, Sears (N Hunt 68). Unused: Kenny, Clarke, S Hunt, Connolly. Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Photo: Action Images

ian_marshall added 18:16 - Feb 14 BACK ON TRACK Congratulations murph! Coyb
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warktheline added 18:20 - Feb 14 Two points of Bournemouth, what does that say about both managers???? Many have stated, and I wouldn't disagree, Howe is a very good manager....McCarthy, with no funds?
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Cakeman added 18:30 - Feb 14 Well done lads, excellent stuff. A good way to end our final day of our Tenerife holiday.
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boysinblue added 18:34 - Feb 14 While people were freaking out after Rotherham, I said that bad patch was just a blip and we'd get back on track. Today proved that, we have the quality to go up no question - and playing Bru, Bishop, Sears all in the same team (with Mcgoldrick to come in) looks very very formidable. Their keeper had a very good game today, Sears and Mings should have scored and were unlucky, I think the scoreline flatters Fulham to be honest. Just 1 little gripe, we MUST cut out these defensive mistakes, because they have, nearly did today, and will continue to cost us. They will be the difference between automatic and play-offs. As such, I suggest putting Parr right back, and moving Chambers into Smith's position. If nothing else but to put a rocket up his @rse and cut out these mistakes.

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battyblue added 18:47 - Feb 14 Great three points to keep as in the race well done players mm & TC ETC The recent blip was caused by playing under-performing players when we had better options on the bench and poor tactics which for the last two games has been eradicated to some degree.
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TimmyH added 18:58 - Feb 14 Good away win even though Fulham have been struggling you still have to go there and get the job done! Midfield looks more creative with Bishop and Bru and rightly I believe Anderson on the bench. 2 wins on the bounce now and hopefully the poor run is now a distant memory and we can push on particularly as Bournemouth dropped 2pts today at home to Huddersfield. Well done to Daryl Murphy, having a great season and 21 and counting and we're no where near March! Well done all!

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prebbs007 added 19:03 - Feb 14 Well done boys. Fantastic win. And fantastic to be part of the 4k blue army. Each and every one if you did the club proud again as brilliant away support. As for the team, again Parr made a huge difference. He MUST start. Smith must not. He is so one footed it is scary and his error count is growing. Luckily it didn't cost us points today like it did v Derby. Chambers has to move inside and partner Berra. Bish did well on the right but still prefer him central. Sears again worked so hard and Murph is just flying. Didzy could play behind them and provide the passes. Have to keep winning as others around us are doing the same. Let's hope Derby and Boro drop points in the week !!! COYB ....

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StowTractorBoy added 19:11 - Feb 14 Great result and day in London. Our fans were fantastic and whilst walking from the Hammersmith direction saw the ITFC boat turnaround and it was rocking with Town fans in full voice. Great credit to Murphy as he was a class above the 11 million McCormack and the overrated Rodallega and his goals were priceless today. Sears was very hardworking but noticeably tired as the match wore on which was no surprise as he worked his socks off. Was very worried when Fulham reduced the deficit but we managed to get the 3 points and make no mistake Fulham on paper at least, have a very decent looking side. We made them look ordinary at times but we have to stop conceding soft goals which on another day could cost us. Man of the match for me apart from Murphy was Bru who was here there and everywhere - what a player we have unearthed in this young man. Bishop also makes a difference when he plays and is getting stronger with every game. Well done to the Town support today it was like a home game and even when Fulham scored they hardly raised a roar. Two home games now and what an opportunity to consolidate but take nothing for granted in this league.

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Surco72 added 19:34 - Feb 14 The difference between us now and a few weeks ago are definately Bish and Sears , Murph is coming back to form because he is now not the only threat . We look so much more dangerous from midfield and the confidence on the ball is so much better . I think the scoreline flatters Fulham as MM got it right from the start and we were never in trouble in this game even if it did drag on at the end . I still think Smith needs a rest as he looks so nervous at times and could cost us again in a big game and we have to play Parr is just a good player in any position . Well done MM and TC another good result in the week

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blueboy1981 added 19:34 - Feb 14 Great 3 points - with other results around us going our way, we have yet another chance to take the initiative and lead this Championship over the finishing line. All it will take is to adopt today's attacking stance from the off - home and away - and very few other teams will live with us. What we don't do well is defend a lead, and I am convinced that, for us, the best form of defence is attack - we have the players to do the business, although a couple of additions would not go amiss perhaps. This is a season not to be missed in terms of opportunity to once again reach the lucrative land - the opportunity is there - all we need to do is capitalise on what we are capable of. Remember MM - ATTACK. We have the people to justify it - both in terms of support, and indeed players. Proof of that today - who can ask for more. Take a bow travelling support - absolute credit to the Club today. Come on you Blues. Happy Saturday evening to all associated with the Club.

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warktheline added 20:15 - Feb 14 Championship table makes for good viewing tonight, in total contrast to last Saturday. Are Brentford finding it tough going as season reaches climax, would be understandable with all things considered....if yes, there's a big margin of points between top 6 and rest. Our next few fixtures are favourable, although nothing can be taken for granted in this division, that said, I'm convinced at the very least we will be in the playoffs. I know many see me as over zealous, and over the top with my enthusiasm for McCarthy, but I genuinely feel we have every right to feel very confident about an exciting end to season.

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billericayblue added 20:20 - Feb 14 I had the pleasure of watching this one and sitting 3 rows back from king nick Great result - I thought we played very well - Fulham had a load of possession in the first Half but did nothing with it - great goals by murph - and a solid performance by all those in the mid Awful mistake by smith (again) but never really in doubt and should have scored another Was great listening to mick scream and shout on the touch line - didn't shut up the entire game And every other word is f@&£ The support from the Ipswich boys was Immense - loved the Luke chambers shout at the end

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Gazelle added 20:32 - Feb 14 Need a couple of big wins or that goal difference could cost us.
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KiwiTractor added 21:13 - Feb 14 Great result, well done all involved - sounds like our away support really were a 12th man today, onya. Massive congrats to Murph hitting the 20 goal mark. The way he's going why not 30? McGoldrick left behind .... I thought he was fit again? Hope he hasn't spat the dummy.
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warktheline added 21:21 - Feb 14 When you reflect on today's win, we must appreciate ,in McCarthy, we are in safe hands in this division. Fulham and Wigan could do with much the same. After several years of hardship it's nice to be looking down the league, instead of up! Many forget to easily, and for sure, they certainly shouldn't!
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runaround added 21:25 - Feb 14 Great result & puts pressure on Derby & Boro to win their games in hand. Starting to look like we're over our blip. Still can't believe Parr doesn't start each game but if we Win its hard to find fault with the line up. Keep it up Town!!
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gorse added 21:27 - Feb 14 Great to secure another win and stand firm after they pulled one back. A few nasty knocks tho! Skuse & Murphy were immense, less obviously thought Tabb was very good, injured himself with an amazing slide tackle from nowhere, Bish also cropped up deep in our half to defend with aplomb a few times. Bru stood off too much for me, Parker had a lot of time & space to run around in circles/find the odd good pass/place it neatly over the crossbar. Almost disappointed we scored so early, as we set up defensively & continued, matching their formation (I think) yet they consistently found space out wide as we were so narrow - was hoping to see Connolly in action and more attacking play. But will take that result any day! COYB.

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PJH added 22:01 - Feb 14 Very good away performance and great result. We need to build on this in next two home games. If we are still in this position(or better) after a difficult looking March, we have potentially a good points haul available in April.At the moment a top two finish is very achievable. Until his error, I thought Tommy Smith was having his best game for a while but the error led to nervy last 15 although they never really looked like equalising.

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Kirbmeister added 22:02 - Feb 14 Always makes me chuckle - when we lose there are about 6 pages on here full of criticism on how crap we are and how MM has no idea - and don't come on here and tell me i'm wrong. When we win only a couple about how great we are. I said a couple of weeks ago it would all sort itself out.
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NoelTheDub added 22:32 - Feb 14 Kirbmeister I stand by my views during our recent blip and very much stand by my criticism of our team selections over parts of this season.If you read my post above the Tabb/Anderson partnership was very much holding us back.Mick was making excuses when the players that I and many on here wanted to see were sitting on the bench ie Bishop,Parr,Sears,even Ambrose.I believe we are a far better team with those guys in and after some dodgy results Mick changed it a bit later than I think but better late than never.The difference with us now is we are dangerous more so in the middle which was driving me mad week in week out.What I moan most about was the flatness,the lack of skill and pace when it was staring Mick in the face on our bloody bench very frustration I have to say.I dont mind been proved wrong when we get a result like the last 2 games I was just calling for a change and we got it .Im a proud supporter of Town for many years even if I dont come across like it I do give Mick and our team full credit and I post win,lose or draw but I give my honest view without been nasty to anyone I respond to.Enjoy your evening its been a great season long my it last my friend....

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bugledog123 added 23:12 - Feb 14 Great result - COYB!
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chevvymalc added 23:25 - Feb 14 Well done Murphy but my man of the match was Berra i would like to know the stats on how many times he headed the ball out of danger he was all over the Fulham forwards and when not heading chased everything down. So well done to him the rest of the team and the 4000 great supporting noisy bouncy bouncy fans. A great day out come on next Saturday!!!
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martleshamitfc added 00:20 - Feb 15 The top six now seems set in stone? just who wants to make the top 2 theirs!! A massive salute to the 4000+ fans that made the trip today, the team responded and our season goes on.. a fantastic achievement considering what a small squad we have compared to the other teams. And WOW we have the top league goalscorer... what a great season it is turning out to be. Maybe Freddie Sears will be our new hero (behind Murphy of course) ?

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skinnyman27 added 04:28 - Feb 15 thank you town fans again, the away support is amazing, wish i could go more, i now its a cliche but do believe that you guys are our 12th man. huge respect. keep it up lads, we are going up.
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gamezone added 08:49 - Feb 15 So many fickle fans, when players do well they are heros! Smith will score the winner in a vital game between now and the end of the season. Just you watch he has character and a true blue to this club. His our longest serving, loyal and one of our best players!
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