Kit Symons hopes he has boosted his chances of becoming the permanent Fulham manager after overseeing a 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers.
Symons has been placed in caretaker charge of the Whites, who sacked Felix Magath last week after a disastrous run in the Championship that has left the west London side bottom of the table with just one point from eight matches.
But they put aside their league struggles as first-half goals from Bryan Ruiz and Dan Burn were enough to secure only a second win of the season for Fulham -- the first also coming in this competition -- and help Symons stake his claim for the job on a full-time basis.
"There will be a thorough search for the right manager and my challenge is to make sure that right person is me,'' said Symons. "Results are vital for my chances of getting the job. We have to build confidence -- this is stepping stone and a good starting point.''
Fulham still had to survive a second-half scare as James Coppinger pulled one back before substitute Theo Robinson missed a late penalty.
Magath, who suggested using cheese to treat injuries during his torrid seven-month spell in charge, had completely frozen Ruiz out of the first-team picture. But Symons immediately brought the striker back into the side and the move paid off in the 17th minute when he drove home a first-time shot from 15 yards.
"Bryan is enjoying his football, after training yesterday we couldn't get him back in,'' added Symons. "It's lovely to see him with a smile on his face, kicking the ball about. He's not scored in a while so that will give him confidence.''
Centre-half Burn, standing in as captain for the rested Scott Parker, grabbed Fulham's second in the 31st minute when he took his 6-foot-7 frame to the far post and nodded in McCormack's cross.
Doncaster pulled one back on the hour when Coppinger thumped an angled drive past home keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
And they were gifted the chance to equalise 12 minutes from time when Tim Hoogland handled Robinson's header in the area. But Bettinelli guessed correctly to keep out the striker's low shot.
"Theo's taken penalties for us before and I'll never have a go at anyone who stands up there as I've done it myself,'' said Rovers boss Paul Dickov.
"He put it on target but the keeper made a good save. The only disappointment is if it had gone in I think we would have gone on to win the game.''