SOCCER: Steve Marlet scored a dramatic late equaliser last night to keep Fulham in the Cup and deny Wycombe Wanderers another Premiership scalp to go with that of Leicester in last season's run to the semi-finals.
Wycombe will have the consolation of a money-spinning replay after seeing this third-round tie, postponed from Saturday because of a frozen pitch, snatched from their grasp.
All the goals came in the second half and Wycombe showed great spirit to rally after going a goal down early in the second half. Wycombe then went ahead in the 67th minute following a mix-up between Alain Goma and his goalkeeper Maik Taylor.
Dannie Bulman crossed from the right and Jermaine McSporran was there to shoot past the Fulham goalkeeper. Adam Park was in ecstasy.
The Fulham manager Jean Tigana had always been aware of Wycombe's banana-skin potential. This was Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez's 19th Cup tie in his three years at the club and last year he led the side to the semi-final, where they were beaten by the eventual winners Liverpool. Sanchez, of course, had scored the Wimbledon winner in the 1988 final against Liverpool.
Last season's run, which also included wins over First Division Wolves and Wimbledon, earned Wycombe £1m.
This season they have beaten Hayes and Notts County in the first two rounds and are also one of only two sides unbeaten in the Second Division.
Wycombe made the early chances with Andy Rammell and the captain Paul McCarthy both heading wide in the first 13 minutes.
But it was Fulham's quick movement and passing skills that were more evident in the first half, however.
They engineered the first potent-looking attack in the seventh minute when the impressive Steed Malbranque shot past the right post after a tricky, jinking advance. A minute later Louis Saha headed close to the left post from a corner from the right.
Their failure to stamp their Premiership authority on the match early on led to a period of introversion from the London side and Wycombe attacked with fresh belief with Rammell and McSporran looking threatening.
It was Fulham, however, who finished the first period the stronger. Sylvain Legwinski had a shot deflected wide and then, nine minutes before the break, Steve Marlet went close with a firm left-foot drive from the edge of the area.
Fulham's advantage survived the interval and they went ahead in the first minute of the second half. Legwinski had his first shot blocked on the line by Mark Rogers. But he followed up to shoot high into the top left-hand corner.
Wycombe's tough-fighting credentials reappeared within a few minutes, however.
They were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute when Alain Goma fouled McSporran and Steve Brown levelled from the spot.
That was the signal for the Wycombe fairytale to take shape again and, on 67th minutes, they took the lead through McSporran - by far their most vibrant attacker.
The little striker found himself surrounded by a forest of defenders in the six-yard box but somehow he managed to control the ball with his back to goal, before swivelling to slide a left-footed shot past Taylor.
Suddenly, Wycombe were in front and the faithful were dreaming of another Cup giantkilling.
That was until Marlet connected with Barry Hayles' cross in the dying throes of a compelling match to give the Premiership side a reprieve they barely deserved.
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. Goals: Brown 57 pen, McSporran 66.
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. Goals: Legwinski 47, Marlet 88.
Referee: G Barber (Tring).
