Match Report
In the Match Preview here on www.ptfc.co.uk manager Ian McCall hinted that few changes would be made to the side that had defeated Morton 7 days earlier. True to his word his 16 selected to face Livingston showed just one change from that picked to face Morton. On the bench a now free from suspension Ian Maxwell replaced Willie Kinniburgh. Otherwise it was very much a case of as your were ahead of the clash with Livingston.
After a fairly bizarre statement read out by the stadium announcer on behalf of his chairman the match kicked off with Thistle's pink away strip receiving the usual and tiresome reaction from the home fans.
Whether or not the spare home crowd had been roused by the comments attributed to their Chairman is unclear but the Livi fans were the first to witness their side coming close. In the 5th minute Dave MacKay managed to get the better of Alan Archibald before delivering a cross that Andrew Halliday flicked over the bar.
Livingston were the better side in the opening exchanges and Thistle were thankful for some excellent defending from Alan Archibald after Anthony McParland had been able to gather a long clearance from his goalkeeper McKenzie.
There was a near thing for Livingston again in the 11th minute when Mark Torrance rather dragged a shot wide of goal from the edge of the Thistle penalty box.
In the 17th minute Thistle's first period of sustained pressure resulted in a Jags penalty when Liam Buchanan was hauled down inside the box. Gary Harkins, Thistle's regular penalty taker, was again the man entrusted with the kick and once more confidently slammed the penalty into the corner of the net to maintain his 100% record from the spot this season.
The game was very nearly tied once more in the 26th minute. John Robertson fouled Leigh Griffiths directly in front of goal a few yards outside the penalty box. With Tuffey well beaten McParland's free kick deserved better than to strike the underside of the crossbar. With no Livi player able to force the loose ball into the net Thistle were able to scramble the ball away and the lead remained intact.
Despite holding a one goal advantage this was proving to be no vintage Thistle performance. So much so that as the first half wore on manager Ian McCall abandoned his seat in the stand to join his coaching staff in the Thistle technical area.
Having survived a real scare in the 26th minute Thistle were able to double their lead 7 minutes later. There was more than a hint of good fortune surrounding this goal. Paul Paton's shot from the edge of the box taking a wicked deflection off a Livi defender before looping over McKenzie and into the net.
With half-time approaching Jonny Tuffey had to look lively to tip over a Dave MacKay header as the home side looked to reduce the deficit before the interval.
Thistle were able to threaten a third goal in the 43rd minute. A swift counter attack with McKeown, Rowson and Paton prominent ended with Paton's cross cleared for a corner with both Buchanan and Doolan lurking at the back post.
After a highly original airing of ‘Pretty in Pink' the second half started with Thistle keen to consolidate their two goal advantage.
Thistle did better than consolidate that two goal lead. After two second half minutes they increased it to three with a goal a worthy contender for Goal of the Season. David Rowson, yes David Rowson, meeting a clearance perfectly and his shot from close on 30 yards flew into the top corner of the net.
The gap was back to two though in the 51st minute. The dangerous Leigh Griffiths was able to latch onto a through ball and he shot low past Tuffey.
Before the game could restart Thistle replaced John Robertson, who had picked up a knock at the start of the second half, with Ian Maxwell.
A fantastic run from Liam Buchanan nearly produced the chance of a 4< sup>th Thistle goal but his progress towards goal, with Kris Doolan in close attendance, was halted just before he was able to shoot towards goal.
In the 61st minute Thistle made their second change of the afternoon when Liam Buchanan was replaced by Simon Donnelly.
Livi themselves made a change a few minutes later when former Thistle player Armad One being introduced to the fray. The Frenchman receiving a warm reception from the travelling Thistle fans.
It was striker of the present vintage that was next in action when Kris Doolan's shot from the edge of the box was always heading wide of target.
The home side were certainly pressing at this stage in the game and it was perhaps fortunate that a crisp MacKay shot following an One knock down was straight at Jonny Tuffey rather than either side of him.
It was very much game on in the 73rd minute when Livi moved to within one goal of Thistle. Gary Miller pushed the ball through to Griffiths who shot crisply past Tuffey from an angle.
Thistle made their final change a short time after Livingston's second goal with Kevin McKinlay coming on for Kris Doolan.
Livingston, with the scent of an equaliser in their nostrils, were pushing forward at every opportunity and again Thistle had cause to be thankful for good positional sense from Jonny Tuffey when he was firmly behind a McParland shot.
The pressure on Thistle was really mounting and a Jason Talbot run finished with his shot flashing wide of the Thistle goal.
In the 83rd minute Livi were as close as they were ever to levelling things at 3-3. Jonny Tuffey doing well to direct a fierce drive from Joe Hamill over his crossbar.
The pressure was nearly eased when Stephen McKeown saw his hot from 20 yards out tipped over the bar by McKenzie. There was a half chance too for Simon Donnelly from the corner that followed but he couldn't get his shot on target.
Hearts were firmly in Thistle mouths when after dancing past the attentions of several Thistle defenders Griffiths went to ground inside the box. Any resentment Livi were harbouring over the award in Thistle's favour in the first half only intensified when referee McLean didn't point to the spot on this occasion.
Nerves were settled once and for all when with the game in injury time Gary Harkins flighted a beautiful free kick right into the back of the net. McKenzie not even moving as gthe ball flew past him.
