This was less about the result and more a chance to dwell on a human interest story, one of those heart-warming tales that are always the backbone of the third round of the FA Cup. For once, though, the dash of romance was to be found at the Barclays Premier League club.

Chris Smalling was all set for Loughborough University in 2008 where he had been accepted to read a course in Business Management. Millwall had released him and he was playing for Maidstone United in the Ryman League. Smalling, however, thought he would give football one more chance before settling for academia, attended a few trials, and was signed by Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager.

A knee injury to Brede Hangeland gave Smalling a chance to play alongside Aaron Hughes against Chelsea last week and against Swindon Town on Saturday. Both performances were eye-catching for their maturity.

Smalling calls his Fulham career his second chance — which sounds dramatic for a 20-year-old but underlines the fine line between success and failure for any footballer. Bobby Zamora is another example of changing fortunes. Widely derided for large chunks of his career because of shoddy finishing, Zamora took his tally to 11 goals this season when he shrugged off the tugs to his shirt by Gordon Greer to score the winner.

The match also bought Andrew Johnson’s first start in three months, the striker having suffered from a persistent groin problem. Johnson won and then took a penalty and in so doing looked rather stale. David Lucas, the Swindon goalkeeper, will not make a softer landing in saving a spot-kick for many years to come.

“I suppose the argument will rage now that because it was Andy who was fouled maybe [Clint] Dempsey should have stepped up, especially when he has a few more games under his belt,” Hodgson said.

Swindon were competent but, in common with many of the underdog teams playing over the weekend, simply lacked the guile or spark to score. Mark Schwarzer could not help but appear patronising as he plucked all efforts pinged his way with calm ease.

Fulham (4-4-2): M Schwarzer — S Kelly, C Smalling, A Hughes, P Konchesky — B-H Riise, J Greening, K Dikgacoi, C Dempsey — R Zamora, A Johnson (sub: Z Gera, 83min). Substitutes not used: D Stockdale, C Baird, E Nevland, F Stoor, T Kallio, D Elm.

Swindon Town (4-1-4-1): D Lucas — K Amankwaah, G Greer, S Cuthbert, A Sheehan — J Douglas — D Ward (sub: M Timlin, 87), J-P McGovern, S Ferry, B Hutchinson (sub: L Macklin, 65) — B Paynter. Substitutes not used: P Smith, L Jean-François, L Peacock, N Thompson, A Henshall. Booked: Lucas.

Referee: A Taylor. Attendance: 19,623.

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