One team in Glasgow Partick Thistle

Thistle and Livingston met for the third time in the space of a month in tonight’s rearranged clash at Firhill, and despite the club’s offer of free entry to kids, that was clearly a factor in the disappointing crowd. The thought of watching another game on the rutted Firhill pitch was probably also a factor, but despite the heavily sanded surface (it’s surely not a good sign when you can smell the pitch?!?), both sides played well in an entertaining game.

Thistle made just the one enforced change from the side that won at Clyde on Saturday, Harkins coming in for the injured Robertson, while his place on the bench was taken by Kevin McKinlay who’d made an earlier than expected return from injury.

Livingston were unchanged from their draw at Dunfermline, teenage striker Leigh Griffiths continuing to deputise for the injured Craig alongside Snodgrass in attack while captain James McPake was sufficiently recovered from a cold to take up his normal place in the heart of the defence.

Livingston have yet to beat Thistle this season and it was the white clad visitors who looked as if they meant business as they set about trying to change that run of results. Thistle didn’t play badly at all, but Livingston had the bulk of possession, showed plenty of movement and passed the ball about with purpose throughout the first half.

Their first effort on goal came in the 12th minute, and it was the lively Griffiths who got on the end of Malone’s cross to hit a first time shot but it was straight at Tuffey and the Jags keeper was able to hold it at the second attempt.

From a quick counter attack the same player again had the goal in his sights, but again he failed to beat Tuffey. Griffiths then turned provider to set up Makel on the edge of the area but the midfielder couldn’t keep his shot down.

The Livingston defence were holding a very high line and Thistle had already came close to beating the offside trap on three occasions, and they finally got it right in the 15th minute when Roberts’ ball found the run of McKeown. He raced clean through on goal and although Stewart was able to parry his early shot, the Jags midfielder tucked home the rebound to make it 1-0 Thistle.

Livingston then proceeded to batter away at the home defence for the next 15 minutes, pushing hard for an equaliser with Griffiths in particular causing problems, but despite their efforts, Tuffey only had one comfortable save to make from a long range Lee Makel shot.

It wasn’t quite all one way traffic, and Gray could have extended Thistle’s lead after half an hour when Roberts picked him out inside the area, but his composure from Saturday deserted him and a poor first touch allowed a defender close enough to block his shot.

Ten minutes before half-time Thistle were forced to make a change when Chaplain, who’d earlier stretched to try and beat Stewart to the ball, limped off to be replaced by Kevin McKinlay. Seconds later Livingston finally found their way through the Jags defence when Griffiths capped a fine first half performance by collecting a pass from Makel before superbly turning to hit a fine shot past the outstretched hand of Tuffey to level the scores.

It was no more than the visitors deserved at this stage of the game, but it was Thistle who came closest to adding to the scoring before half time. Firstly Kinniburgh headed narrowly wide from a corner, then Roberts did well to race onto a pass and showed good strength to hold off the challenge of McDonald before forcing Stewart to tip the ball over at his near post.

Thistle continued the second half as they finished the first, and almost got back in front inside the opening ten minutes. Storey had done well to make progress down the right wing and he cut the ball back for Roberts who went down under a challenge inside the area, although his penalty claims were waved away the ball broke to McKinlay 12 yards from goal, but his lack of fitness was apparent and he was slow to react to the chance allowing Stewart time to come out and block.

Stewart thwarted McKinlay again when he rather made a meal of his header, fumbling it round the post for a corner when it looked like a routine save. As Thistle continued to press Damon Gray was set up by Twaddle, but as in the first half he was unable to control the ball on the bumpy surface and a good chance was gone.

After Thistle’s early pressure Livingston thought they had edged in front on the hour mark when Dave MacKay got on the end of a free kick but his deflected effort dropped inches wide with Tuffey completely wrong-footed.

A few minutes later it was Thistle who were celebrating after they’d caught out Livingston’s high back line for the second time in the game. Rowson and Roberts were involved in the middle of the park and the latter spotted Twaddle’s run through the centre, he galloped through on goal before sliding the ball out to Gray, and this time the Hibs youngster finished superbly, drilling the ball low past Stewart for his third goal in Thistle colours.

Gray had a chance to test Stewart again almost immediately, but he rather wasted what had been a good move by blasting the ball well over the bar. He’s still young, so I guess we can let him off with it…

Thistle deserved their lead as they’d been the better side in the second half, and with Livingston enjoying far less possession, Griffiths was subdued and eventually replaced midway through the half.

However, as the game headed into the closing stages, the visitors began to press more and more in search of an equaliser. First McPake pushed forward to join the attack and when he cut the ball back for Snodgrass the crowd held it’s breath as he lined up a shot, and collectively sighed with relief as it trundled wide.

Snodgrass dragged another shot wide soon afterwards before keeper Colin Stewart joined the attack when they won a corner deep into injury time. Thankfully it came to nothing, but with the Thistle players seemingly incapable of doing anything other than whacking the ball into touch he stayed up front. It felt as if the ref was allowing the match to drag on indefinitely, but as a Thistle player thumped the ball away yet again, the final whistle eventually blew to signal a hard earned win.

Mark Roberts was named man of the match, but it was a good all-round team performance with the entire defence again solid, McKeown the star in midfield and both Roberts and Gray doing their bit in attack.

The players can now have a well deserved Saturday off before taking on bottom side Stirling next Tuesday, when they will attempt to make it three league wins in a row for the first time this season.

Man of the match: Mark Roberts