The Thistle Archive

Kenny McLean's stoppage-time penalty gave St Mirren victory over Partick Thistle to secure their first Scottish Premiership points of the season. The Glasgow hosts were well worthy of their 22nd-minute opener as poor marking allowed Kris Doolan to head in. But Callum Ball prodded home his first Buddies goal as the visitors were rejuvenated after his introduction. And, when Abdul Osman was ruled to have handled, McLean powered his spot-kick into the net. Boss Tommy Craig had been the subject of disquiet among the St Mirren support after five straight league defeats. But the veteran manager must take credit for a double substitution shortly after the break that changed the game. Craig had tweaked his starting formation as he tried to find a blend capable of ending their poor run, with Gary Teale and Gregg Wylde coming into the wide positions and Marc McAusland and on-loan Manchester City winger Adam Drury dropping out. While Thistle had the early momentum and possession, it was St Mirren who were first to find the target, with veteran Teale firing powerfully into goalkeeper Scott Fox's midriff and James Marwood steering an effort over the crossbar. The summer signing from Gateshead's effort lacked conviction and the confidence began to further drain from the visitors after they fell behind. Thistle's clever probing had come to nothing until Steven Lawless managed to curl in a cross that exposed holes in a central defence into which Jim Goodwin had dropped back from midfield in place of off-form McAusland. Doolan was left in yards of space as the ball spun over the head of on-loan Manchester City defender Ellis Plummer and the striker steered his header just inside the far post. Thistle, buoyant after their weekend win over then Scottish Premiership leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle, were now in complete control, their swift passing leaving the Buddies chasing ghosts, with former Gretna and Crewe Alexandra midfielder Osman pulling the strings. John McGinn twice almost single-handedly pulled the visitors back into the game either side of half time, with consecutive powerful long-range efforts being nervously punched clear by Fox. However, Thistle continued to look comfortable until Craig hauled off the miss-firing Marwood and Wylde, with Ball and Thomas Reilly being sent up front. St Mirren had found an extra spring in their step and former Derby County striker Ball evaded the marking of Conrad Balatoni to prod Jeroen Tesselaar's curling cross into the corner of the net from 12 yards. Fox twice denied Ball a second goal, but the Buddies' late dominance was rewarded after the goalkeeper clawed away a fine McLean free-kick. When Reilly tried to send the ball back into the six-yard box, the ball struck the protective arm of Osman and McLean coolly supplied the winning finish from the spot.

bbc.com

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