The Thistle Archive

Media report

05-Oct-2002, bbc.com

PARS PUNISH 10-MAN THISTLE. Dunfermline Athletic bounced back from last week's disappointment to subdue 10-man Partick Thistle. The Pars looked to be cruising to victory after Scott Thomson fired them into a deserved lead. But, after David Lilley was red carded, Thistle showed increased vigour and equalised from the penalty spot through Jamie Mitchell. Thistle attempted to hold on for the draw, but goals from Barry Nicholson and two from Steve Crawford made sure the home side took three points from a game in which they did not match some of their recent fine play. Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood had been forced to make two changes from the side that lost 3-1 to Aberdeen. In-form striker Craig Brewster was suspended, while Scott Wilson was injured. Fellow defender Scott Walker dropped to the bench and in came Gary Dempsey, David Nicholls and Gus MacPherson. The visitors made only one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Hearts, Paul Walker coming in for injured striker Scott McLean.

Thistle had the better of the early exchanges, but Crawford posed the biggest threat, forcing goalkeeper Kenny Arthur into two saves. The home side were the ones exerting the pressure and took the lead in the 27th minute after Thistle defender Stephen Craigan had fouled Dempsey at the edge of the Thistle box. Nicholson touched the ball to Thomson and the Pars skipper hammered a tremendous shot into the top corner of the net. Thomson almost made it two after 37 minutes but headed over from six yards. The visitors nearly stole an equaliser five minutes before the break when Martin Hardie headed the ball into the path of Jamie Mitchell, but the midfielder's diving header flew well over. Partick were reduced to 10 men with 36 minutes remaining after a reckless and late challenge from behind by Lilley on Dempsey. Dempsey had to be replaced with Jason Dair and arrived just in time to see Thistle draw level. Partick's 10 men were fired up, but it was a mistake by Sean Kilgannon that handed them the equaliser. The winger, under no pressure, controlled the ball with his hand in the box and Mitchell fired home from the spot.

Thistle now had control, but they started to defend too deep and a MacPherson cross was headed home by Nicholson after 67 minutes. Crawford added the icing to the cake by turning Scott Paterson inside out before driving the ball low under Arthur for Dunfermline's third and decisive goal. The Scotland striker then fired home from 12 yards in the dying seconds to send him to Iceland with the national squad in good heart.

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