Fulham’s latest failure to win at a London ground other than Craven Cottage cost them a chance to close to within a point of the sky Bet Championship’s automatic promotion places following a drab 0-0 draw at Charltion.
They had lost each of their previous six away London derbies, so a point at The Valley was an improvement of sorts, but they will feel they should have done more against a team at the wrong end of the table.
The pre-match news of Bowyer’s new deal was greeted with enthusiasm from the home fans and they were still in good voice as their team opened on the attack.
Charlton struggled to regain their early impetus and when Alfie Doughty ran from his own penalty area to Fulham’s after Charlton cleared a corner, he found no team-mate in position to receive a pass.
Cairney had no such problems and another pass found Joe Bryan advancing down the left to send a skidding shot just past Phillips’ far post.
Doughty remained the Charlton player most likely to get the locals on their feet but another buccaneering run down the right was anticipated by Fulham’s Tim Ream, who cleared.
Fulham should have gone ahead five minutes into the second half when Michael Hector found space at the far post to meet Ivan Cavaleiro’s corner from the left but the defender put his header wide.
That was due in no small part to the home side’s determination, and Erhun Oztumer put a warning shot for Charlton over their crossbar after catching Ream in possession to remind Fulham that they were not the only team looking to score.
But although the home side launched a late charge, they failed to threaten Marek Rodak’s goal.
