Match Report
After the excellent performance even in defeat at Dens Park seven days ago Ian McCall has selected the same starting eleven for the visit of Ayr United. The only change coming on the bench where Martyn Corrigan's defensive versatility helps get him the nod ahead of Willie Kinniburgh.
Against Dundee, Thistle made the worst possible of starts conceding a goal after just four minutes. It was a different story against Ayr with Thistle this time the team to make an excellent start with a goal after just 6 minutes. There was a touch of good fortune surrounding the goal with Mark Corcoran collecting the ball as a result of a defensive error. There was, however, no doubting the quality of Corcoran's finish as he shot high into the back of the net.
Thistle were close to a second goal in the 13th minute. A fantastic pass of fully 40 yards from Bryan Hodge picked out Liam Buchanan who saw his shot saved but not held by Craig Samson. Simon Donnelly though was just unable to get hold of the rebound.
There was controversy in the 18th minute. Liam Buchanan went down inside the Ayr box with the strong look of a foul about it. Referee O'Reilly though thought otherwise and instead waved a yellow card in the direction of a furious Liam Buchanan.
This was certainly not a game without incident and in the 20th minute we nearly saw as fine a goal as you are likely to see. Paul Cairney touched the ball into the path of David Rowson who promptly crashed a shot off the top of the Ayr bar.
There was a scare for Thistle in the 28th minute when ex Jag Mark Roberts blasted an excellent chance high and wide of the Thistle goal.
Thistle were producing some excellent football at this point. Paul Cairney set up Liam Buchanan but Buchanan just strayed fractionally offside. An excellent passing Thistle move nearly opened up the Ayr defence as well but the final ball was just a little too far ahead of Liam Buchanan.
Thistle's play at this point probably merited a second goal and it arrived in the 37th minute. Bryan Hodge played a ball into the box and Liam Buchanan enjoyed a deserved break of the ball before netting his 9th goal of the season.
The opening period of the second half didn't quite match the entertainment factor of the first 45 minutes but Thistle were still close to a third goal in the 58th minute. Liam Buchanan set up Simon Donnelly who was only denied a goal by a quite outstanding save from Craig Samson.
It was a major let off for Thistle in the 64th minute. Jonny Tuffey was unable to hold onto a Dean Kennan shot and when the rebound fell to Mark Roberts no more than 4 yards from goal most people expected the normally reliable Roberts to find the net. On this occasion though all he could do was head the ball over the bar.
A spirited performance from Ayr meant that Thistle could never truly relax and a third goal would have eased any nerves around the place. Chris Erskine nearly provided that third goal in the 76th minute when a typical Erskine run took him into the box but he saw Samson beat out his shot and Erskine couldn't direct the rebound on target either.
With ten minutes remaining Paul Cairney came close to sealing the win for Thistle but from the right hand side of the box he dragged his shot wide of the opposite post.
With six minutes remaining Thistle had their second strong appeal for a penalty turned down. Paul Cairney appeared to have his legs pulled from under him for what looked an obvious penalty but all Thistle got was a corner. From that corner the ball was headed goal wards by Jim Hamilton to Kris Doolan who saw his shot blocked for another Thistle corner.
