An inexperienced line-up suffered a third successive home loss at Northumberland FA's Whitley Park on Monday, beaten by a Fulham side who took their chances to give the scoreline a slightly lopsided look. 

Clad in a black and yellow change strip, the Cottagers went ahead on nine minutes when Mikolaj Kwietniewski finished off a good move by stroking the ball home.

Fulham soon came close to doubling their lead in bright and breezy conditions when United were unable to clear their lines and Lucas de la Torre's goalbound effort was blocked in the six yard box by Liam Smith. 

United's first attack of note saw them almost level in the 18th minute, when Callum Smith ran down the right before smacking his shot off the far post.

Four minutes later Fulham also hit the goal frame through Stevie Humphrys before the visitors extended their lead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute.

Ben Pollock upended Kwietniewski in the area as he prepared to shoot and striker Humphrys sent Freddie Woodman the wrong way from the spot.

Dan Barlaser was unlucky not to get one back for Peter Beardsley's side in the 52nd minute when his shot was brilliantly clawed onto the post by England U21 keeper, Marcus Bettinelli - returning after serious injury.

That chance heralded the best period of home pressure as United raised their game following a lifeless opening 45 minutes and belatedly began to pose a threat.

While Adam Laidler on the left wing and Callum Smith on the opposite flank made some progress however, the lack of support in central areas meant that Fulham were able to register a first clean sheet in nine outings 

Woodman's post was hit again by Humphrys after 68 minutes and Laidler's shot across goal was blocked by Bettinelli soon after at the other end, the rebound falling behind Lewis McNall as he followed in.

Humphrys was denied by Woodman with six minutes remaining but grabbed his second and Fulham's third in added time as the Londoners avenged our 2-0 win at Craven Cottage last October and ended their own six game winless streak in the process.

There were U21 debuts for full back duo Ben Kitchen and Jake Trodd (taking our player total this season to 47), while Craig Spooner, Mackenzie Heaney and Dan Lowther were unused substitutes for the first time at this level.

United's closing two home games will be staged at St. James Park, meaning that this was their fifth and final visit to Whitley Park this season. They won none.

Biffa