THE queues stretching out in front of Craven Cottage were reminiscent of a bygone age, of Boxing Day 1963 in fact, when on Ipswich's last League visit, they were humbled 10-1. There the similarity ended.

Where there was rapturous acclaim 36 years ago for the sublime passing of Johnny Haynes and the clinical finishing of Graham Leggat, whose four goals included what still stands as the fastest ever hat-trick, yesterday there was only numbed resignation amidst the riverside breeze.

Fulham barely had 10 glimpses of goal let alone 10 shots in the process of completing their fourth successive goal-less draw in the League. Their strikers did not even manage a shot on target between them, a sad statistic which owed much to the excellence of the Ipswich back three, John McGreal in particular.

McGreal, who had almost sliced a Barry Hayles cross into his own goal after 32 minutes, was soon displaying his pace to deny the same Fulham forward with a majestic challenge. The defender's covering and tackling was faultless.

Ipswich certainly deserved to win. "We're disappointed to draw. We thought we shaded it," said their manager George Burley who had plenty of ammunition for his claim. Before a calf injury forced his withdrawal David Johnson had been a lively leader of the attack. And then there was Richard Naylor's fall into the penalty area under a dubious challenge from Steve Finnan. Fabian Wilnis also had a shot skim a post.

Rather less laudable was the careless backpass from Wilnis in the last minute. Luckily for the Dutchman, Richard Wright flung out a long arm to deny Paul Peschisolido, a half-time replacement for Geoff Horsfield who had injured a knee.

With that crucial save Ipswich's unbeaten run was extended to nine games.

Daily Telegraph