Jokanovic defiant after Fulham are denied derby victory

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic refused to be disheartened after seeing his side concede a last-gasp equaliser at home to Brentford to lose ground in the race for automatic promotion.

Leading 1-0 through Aleksandar Mitrovic’s superb 70th-minute strike, Fulham were forced to settle for a point against their near neighbours when substitute Neal Maupay nodded home in the fourth minute of injury time.

The draw leaves Fulham in third spot in the Championship, a point behind second-placed Cardiff, who have a game in hand on the Whites. It also confirmed Wolves’ promotion.

“We dominated the game, so we must be disappointed after conceding a late goal,” said Jokanovic. “We probably lacked a bit of experience to kill the game.

“After they scored we didn’t have time to react, but this kind of situation happens in the Championship. We’re not satisfied or happy, but we must be strong and ready for the next challenge.

“I’m not a depressive man, I’m a happy man. I’m happy with how my team pushed in the second half.

“Brentford play very good football, too. They’re four points from the play-offs. It was normal they would push forward and try to score late in the game.

“But I don’t have time for crying and complaining. I only have time to support my team.”

Jokanovic attempted to shore things up late on when he replaced substitute winger Neeskens Kebano with another replacement, defender Cyrus Christie.

He defended his change, adding: “We needed to find a way to kill the game. I tried to help the team.”