The Thistle Archive

Media report

PENALTY BLUNDER STUNS ACCIES. A highly controversial penalty saw Accies knocked out of the Challenge Cup at Firhill on Tuesday. With 72 minutes gone, Accies were a goal down and looking for the equaliser when they were rocked by Mike McCurry's decision. Thistle's Steve Docherty broke into the penalty box but young Accies 'keeper Steven Paris, who had replaced Colin Scott at half-time after he took ill, slid in to clear superbly with his feet. Docherty lost his footing and fell, and to the amazement of virtually everyone in the ground, and to the dismay of Accies, referee McCurry pointed to the spot. When the protests had died down, Jered Stirling stepped up to score and put the game beyond Accies.

Thistle had taken the lead after three minutes of the second half when Derek McWilliams beat Paris with a shot from a tight angle. But Accies looked good for an equaliser until McCurry's spot-kick blunder. Jose Quitongo scored a consolation goal two minutes from time when he drove the ball past 'keeper Mark Cairns after a superb run. However, there was to be no way back. Looking back on the incident which turned the match, Accies boss Iain Munro said: "Steven Paris made a magnificent save with his feet and then fell on the ball. Even Thistle manager Murdo MacLeod said it wasn't a penalty. I couldn't really fault the players for the defeat. Considering Partick Thistle have just come down from the Premier League, I thought we were fairly evenly matched."

.