Derby delay Fulham promotion party as Luke Plange inspires shock win

Fulham’s bid for an immediate return to the Premier League was put on hold again after they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at relegation-battling Derby.

The Cottagers would have sealed promotion with victory and the Sky Bet Championship leaders were on track to do just that when Fabio Carvalho put them ahead in the 20th minute.

But the Rams hit back and, inspired by teenager Luke Plange, claimed a victory which was much-needed after fellow strugglers Peterborough and Reading won earlier on Friday.

Plange drew the teams level in the 51st minute and the on-loan Crystal Palace forward then pressured Tosin Adarabioyo into a 73rd-minute own goal as they competed for Tom Lawrence’s cross.

The result leaves Derby nine points behind fourth-bottom Reading and safety, while Fulham must wait for their next chance to claim a third promotion to the Premier League in five seasons.

Events earlier on Good Friday had left Marco Silva’s men knowing victory would assure them of returning to the top flight after a 12-month absence.

And Carvalho’s first-half strike appeared to have them well on course for that target.

It followed a patient attack on the edge of the Derby area which ended when Carvalho played a neat one-two with Bobby Decordova-Reid, slipping away from Krystian Bielik.

And the Portuguese teenager, consistently linked with a summer move to Liverpool, did his growing reputation no harm with a composed finish for his ninth goal of the season.

Fulham looked in the mood to have the three points secured by the interval, and came close to doubling their lead soon after their opener.

Tom Cairney’s pass sent Harry Wilson away down the right and his cross was mis-controlled by leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic six yards out.

Curtis