Match Report
Without a game in a fortnight Thistle went into this hugely important fixture with Dunfermline showing just one change from the side that defeated Airdrie United in their last outing. Scott Chaplain being preferred to Simon Donnelly who dropped to the bench where there was a place for the fit again Ian Maxwell.
On a stodgy Firhill pitch Thistle made the brighter start winning their first corner inside the game’s opening minute. It wasn’t until the 8th minute though that Thistle managed a direct shot a goal and Marc Twaddle’s ferocious shot from 35 yards just dipped too late.
Thistle though were in front in the 9th minute. Paul Paton’s corner was flicked on to Alan Archibald whose attempt to direct the ball goal wards was diverted into the net by Liam Buchanan displaying the predatory instincts of a good striker.
It was a lead that Thistle enjoyed for just three minutes. A left wing cross being met by Steven Bell who lifted the ball high into the roof of the Thistle net.
Thistle lost their way a little in the immediate wake of Dunfermline’s equaliser but a vicious swerving cross from Paul Paton, although cleared, raised Thistle’s spirits. As did a David Rowson shot from the edge of the box that drifted wide of goal.
Thistle made a switch in the 20th minute with Kevin McKinlay replacing Simon Storey as manager Ian McCall made tactical adjustments.
Thistle came close in a second goal in the 27th minute. Liam Buchanan and Scott Chaplain combined well with the latter’s driven cross cleared for a corner.
Thistle’s bright start to the game was but a distant memory when Dunfermline took the lead on the 30th minute. Dunfermline’s leading scorer Andy Kirk was left unmarked directly in front of goal and there was little doubt about the final destination of his downward header.
This time it was the turn of Thistle to level things three minutes later. Kris Doolan turned sharply inside the box before knocking a shot past Gallacher and into the corner of the net.
Thistle made a change at the break with Ian Maxwell replacing Marc Twaddle who had picked up a knock towards half-time.
There were pleas for a penalty at the start of the second half when Liam Buchanan went to ground inside the box but those pleas were more in hope than expectation.
Thistle were the better side in the early exchanges in the second half and while Alan Archibald was well off target with a snap shot Gary Harkins was much closer with an effort from the edge of the box in the 55th minute.
In the 58th minute an inventive chipped pass from Scott Chaplain created an opening for but Kris Doolan didn’t quite make the correct contact with the ball.
It was Dunfermline though that in the 62nd minute had the best chance yet of regaining the lead. Rory Loy was given far too much room at the corner of the Thistle box and his low drive was just a little too close for comfort.
After a spell of Dunfermline pressure Thistle broke on the break and a promising move ended with Liam Buchanan touching the ball into the path of Scott Chaplain who saw his shot go wide of Gallacher’s left hand post.
Thistle had a major let off in the 70th minute when Dunfermline really should have punished Ian Maxwell for some slack defending.
Thistle made their third and final change in the 71st minute when Simon Donnelly came on for Liam Buchanan.
A surging run from Gary Harkins took him deep into Dunfermline territory in the 72nd minute but when he passed to Kevin McKinlay , McKinlay’s first touch was a poor one and the chance was lost.
In the 76th minute having already nearly gifted Dunfermline a goal Thistle nearly committed defensive suicide. Willie Kinniburgh simply surrendered possession and when Kirk look set to score it took a magnificent Paul Paton tackle to remove the danger.
Minutes later Kirk missed another great opportunity to put Dunfermline in the lead. Left with just Jonny Tuffey to beat he dragged his shot from an angle wide of goal. There was more than just a hint of justice surrounding Kirk’s miss as he had looked offside when he gathered the ball.
In the 87th minute Dunfermline won a penalty. A swift Dunfermline break ended with Ian Maxwell fouling Steven Bell , earning himself a red card into the bargain. Thistle looked to have got out of jail when Tuffey produced an excellent save from Loy's spot kick but Loy was first to the rebound and lashed the ball high into the net.
