Match Report
Scorer of the winning goal against Dunfermline, Simon Donnelly, came into the starting line-up for this fixture against an Inverness side bang on form and hard on the heels of Dundee at the top of the league. There were also starts for Ian Maxwell and Stephen McKeown.
In view of how the first 45 minutes would turn pan out it was a little surprising that Thistle were the side that started this game the better. Liam Buchanan earning Thistle a corner as early as the third minute.
Before too long though Inverness took control of proceedings. Their first chance came in the 8th minute. Adam Rooney able to get daylight between him and the Thistle defence but Alan Archibald was able to get back and force Rooney out wide and when he did manage to get his shot in Tuffey was well placed to save.
Inverness though couldn't to force the pace and in the 17th minute they would have taken the lead had it not been for a quite superb save from Jonny Tuffey. David Proctor crossed from the right and Tuffey did exceptionally well to touch Foran's shot onto the bar.
For the next few minutes it was almost a case of Foran v Tuffey with the Thistle keeper on no fewer than three occasions denying the Inverness striker.
Jonny Hayes was the next Inverness player to threaten the Thistle goal but his shot in the 20th minute from the edge of the box though powerfully stuck was always drifting wide of goal.
A Rooney cut back for Hayes again caused problems for Thistle defence but Hayes shot was blocked as the pressure on the Thistle goal continued to mount.
Thistle were able to manage their first direct effort on goal in the 25th minute. Simon Doonelly set up Liam Buchanan who tested Esson at his near post with a well struck shot.
Play though quickly moved to the other end. It took a well timed Stephen McKeown to snuff out the danger as Adam Rooney bore in on the Thistle goal before Inverness finally took the lead in the 32nd minute. Foran whipped the ball in for Adam Rooney to head home from inside the six yard box.
It could even have been 2-0 just four minutes later. The ball dropped invitingly into the path of Ross Tokely at the corner of the Thistle six yard box but he could only lash the ball high over the bar.
There was no more notable goal mouth action prior to half-time and Thistle were perhaps glad to get into the dressing room at the break trailing by no more than a single goal.
Thistle started the second half with Chris Erskine and Mark Corcoran on for Paul Cairney and Ryan Conroy and there was some encouragement for Thistle in the opening minutes of the half. Chris Erskine was able to evade the attention of a couple of Inverness players before passing to Liam Buchanan whose shot was just too straight to truly trouble Esson.
Liam had an even better chance a minute later. Paul Paton's cross was headed into Liam's path who after turning sent the ball wide of target.
As encouraging as this was Inverness were close to extending their lead just a minute later. Jonny Hayes was left with just Jonny Tuffey to beat from no more than 8 yards out but Tuffey was equal to the task producing a magnificent point blank save.
This was proving to be a highly entertaining game and a Chris Erskine run in the 61st minute had the Thistle fans on their feet. When he squared the ball to Mark Corcoran though at the edge of the box Corcoran could only send his shot horribly over the bar.
Jonny Tuffey's performance was only enhancing his reputation and is 63rd minute save from a Cox thunderbolt rivalled his save from Foran in the first half.
Thistle were doing plenty of pressing but clear cut chances remained at a premium. Liam Buchanan did well to hook the ball into the Inverness six yard box but there was no friendly foot or head to apply a finish.
A minute later there were loud shouts for a Thistle penalty when a Buchanan shot was blocked but all Thistle got was a corner.
With 7 minutes remaining and Thistle trying to press against an Inverness side using delaying tactics Bryan Hodge was able to get a clear glimpse at goal but his shot was straight at Esson.
