CHERRIES will be looking to return to the Championship summit tomorrow at a venue which holds fond memories for the club’s supporters.

Craven Cottage has been a happy hunting ground for the Dorset outfit – with promotion to the second flight for the first time secured on the banks of the Thames in 1987.

More than 4,000 travelling fans headed to west London to see Harry Redknapp’s men triumph 3-1 against the Cottagers almost 27 years ago.

Cherries were buoyed by Gerry Peyton’s penalty save from Peter Scott before Fulham took the lead after a cross from Jeff Hopkins had deflected in off John 'Willo' Williams.

However, the visitors hit back almost immediately when Trevor Aylott netted from the spot after Carl Richards had been fouled by Paul Parker.

And Aylott fired them in front following a Richard Cooke cross nine minutes from time before on-loan Leicester man Tony Sealy’s 25-yard stunner sealed promotion.

Although Fulham remained unbeaten at home by Cherries during their days in Division Three (South) before the war, the tables have turned in more recent times.

Cherries have won three and drawn four of eight league encounters at the Cottage with the last meeting ending in stalemate in August 1998 when Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Steve Fletcher and Richard Hughes started for the visitors.

Fulham, managed by Kevin Keegan, ended the campaign as runaway winners of Division Two, while Mel Machin’s Cherries missed out on a place in the play-offs after drawing 0-0 with Wrexham on the final day of the season.

The previous year – which was Mohamed Al-Fayed’s first season as owner – Steve Robinson netted for Cherries in a 1-0 win at the Cottage to inflict only Fulham’s second home defeat in 17 games. The game saw Eddie Howe come off the bench in the 88th minute and play up front for the first and only time in his career.

Adrian Pennock and Steve Fletcher were on target in a 2-0 victory in October 1993, while Fulham's 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage in April 1992 was one of Harry Redknapp's final games in charge of Cherries.

Since losing 2-0 at Dean Court on Boxing Day, Fulham have managed three wins in the Championship and beat Wolves on penalties in the FA Cup before bowing out to Sunderland.

Victory over high-flying Derby at Craven Cottage five days ago was their only league win in eight with Fulham going down 1-0 at Watford on Tuesday.

Bottom of the table after collecting a solitary point from their first eight games, Felix Magath was eventually replaced by Kit Symons at the end of October with Fulham currently eight points above the drop zone.

Symons, whose full first name is Christopher, and Howe were on opposite sides the last time the teams met at Craven Cottage with both starring for their respective defences in a 0-0 draw in August 1998.