Partick Thistle Football Club

PARTICK THISTLE 2, AYR UNITED 0

FULL-TIME

90mins+: Excellent defending from Man of the Match Alan Archibald snuffs out the danger as Ayr look for a late goal.

84 mins: The corner is headed backed towards goal by Jim Hamilton and Kris Doolan sees his shot blocked for another Thistle corner.

84 mins: Paul Cairney looks to have the legs taken from him for an obvious penalty but all Thistle get is a corner.

81 mins: Thistle corner. Hodge takes and Hamilton heads over.

80 mins: Paul Cairney nearly seals the win but his shot goes wide of the far post.

79 mins: Jim Hamilton on for Liam Buchanan.

76 mins: Kris Doolan comes on for Simon Donnelly.

76 mins: We nearly have that third goal. Chris Erskine's eccentric run takes him into the box but his shot is saved by Samson. Erskine can't direct the rebound on target.

75 mins: Ayr showing plenty of spirit but Maxwell and Robertson both solid. A third goal would be nice.

67 mins: Bryan Hodge touches a free kick to Ian MAxwell but Maxwell's shot is well off target.

64 mins: A major let off for Thistle. Jonny Tuffey can't hold Dean Keenan's shot and Mark Roberts nods the rebound over the bar from 4 yards out.

59 mins: Chris Erskine comes on to replace Mark Corcoran.

58 mins: Simon Donnelly is denied a goal by a quite wonderful save from Craig Samson.

50 mins: A Mark Corcoran pass is just a shade too heavy for Simon Donnelly and Samson is able to grab the ball.

48 mins: Ayr's Martin Campbell is booked.

47 mins: A Donnelly pass finds Buchanan but he is flagged for offside.

45 mins: We're back underway at Firhill.

It's been an excellent first half performance but Ayr have not been without threat themselves and did come from 2-0 down against Dundee midweek. Job not yet completed.

HALF-TIME

40 mins: Liam Buchanan is fouled 25 yards from goal. Hodge and Donnelly stand over the ball. Donnelly takes but it goes high over the bar.

37 mins: GOAL THISTLE. Bryan Hodge plays the ball into the box. Liam Buchanan enjoys the break of the ball before firing home.

Crowd: 3,055

34 mins: Mark Corcoran tries to squeeze home a Paul Paton cross but the angle is just too tight.

32 mins: A fantastic Thistle passing move but the final ball was just a little ahead of Liam Buchanan.

31mins: Paul Cairney comes forward with the ball but delays his pass just a fraction too long and Liam Buchanan strays offside.

28 mins: Mark Roberts blasts an excellent chance for Ayr over the bar.

25 mins: Thistle's first corner of the game. Bryan Hodge goes across to take it but Ayr clear.

20 mins: David Rowson crashes a shot off the top of the Ayr bar after the ball was touched in his direction by Paul Cairney.

17 mins: Liam Buchanan is booked for diving. A harsh, harsh decision.

16 mins: First corner of the game goes the way of Ayr United.

13 mins: Nearly a second for Thistle. A Fantastic pass from Bryan Hodge finds Liam Buchanan whose shot is saved by Samson with Simon Donnelly just unable to get the rebound.

6 mins: GOAL THISTLE. Mark Corcoran takes advantage of a defensive error before shooting high into the Ayr net.

2 mins: The game's first shot comes from the visitors but Stevenson's effort is high over the bar.

0 mins: We're underway at Firhill.

It will be Ayr to kick-off and will be shooting towards the south end of the ground.

The Thistle team comes out to a tremendous ovation from the Thistle fans.

Pre-match News: It's a perfect day for football. HArdly a cloud in the sky and an excellent playing surface. Ian McCall has selected an unchanged starting eleven from the team that lost 2-0 Dundee. The only change comes on the bench where Martyn Corrigan gets the nod just ahead of Willie Kinniburgh.