Match ends, Ross County 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Ross CountyRoss County1Partick ThistlePartick Thistle0
Ross County won their fourth Scottish Premiership game in a row to lift them off the bottom and draw Partick Thistle back into the relegation fight.
Craig Curran scored the only goal with a precise close-range header after Thistle goalkeeper Paul Gallacher had raced off his line to block Liam Boyce.
Kallum Higginbotham added to the Jags' woes with a bad foul on Michael Gardyne which earned him a straight red card.
It was never comfortable for County but they held on for three valuable points.
In a tepid opening Partick Thistle created by far the most threatening opportunity.
Higginbotham drove down the left and cut back for Steven Lawless in a central position. However, composure was lacking though as he fired over when a goal seemed inevitable.
Thistle would rue that opportunity in a first half lacking in chances.
Conditions may have played a role in a lack of attacking threat from both sides but Ross County gave themselves a wonderful platform with the opener.
Raffaele De Vita was central to the goal with a beautifully weighted ball onto Boyce's chest. The striker took it down but Gallacher closed in to block his toe-poke.
The ball spun kindly for the advancing Curran, who demonstrated a level of finesse when he eased the ball into the corner away from a desperate defender.
Thistle responded well and Higginbotham came close to hauling his side level.
A short corner released Thistle's most creative influence down the bye-line and he found an angle to strike but the ball clipped a defender and flew past.
Jim McIntyre's side had more purpose at the start of the second period and Gardyne could not turn effectively enough to get an early strike on target.
However, Thistle remained determined and came very close to equalising when Lawless picked up on the edge of the box.
He hit a firm, low shot towards goal, which Mark Brown got behind but parried out towards Lyle Taylor. The striker netted but could not beat the offside flag, which kept County ahead.
Moments later, Thistle shot themselves in the foot when Higginbotham had a moment of madness that ended his participation in the game.
As Gardyne advanced over the halfway line, Higginbotham came straight through him and ended up straight up the tunnel, referee Alan Muir showing no hesitation.
That gave Thistle a mountain to climb but they deserve credit for continuing to press and their manager Alan Archibald would feel a point was not unmerited, given their efforts.
County defended doggedly and almost snatched a second when Jake Jervis knocked a header into Filip Kiss' path only for Gallacher to race off his line and stop.
Then, in a crazy episode, Gallacher found himself beaten on the touchline. The ball raced across goal but no County player could get on the end of it to seal the points.
It is another vital victory for Ross County who are now clear of the bottom after a superb run of results.
But Partick Thistle are facing the reality that they are now very much in this relegation fight.
Line-ups
Ross County
Formation 4-4-2
- 21Brown
- 44Fraser
- 5Boyd
- 43Quinn
- 12Reckord
- 40GardyneBooked at 80minsSubstituted forCareyat 89'minutes
- 26Woods
- 36Irvine
- 24De Vita
- 11CurranSubstituted forKissat 85'minutes
- 16BoyceSubstituted forJervisat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Reguero
- 3Meite
- 7Cardle
- 9Jervis
- 10Kiss
- 20Sernas
- 23Carey
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Gallacher
- 2O'Donnell
- 6Balatoni
- 13Frans
- 30KeenanBooked at 68mins
- 18OsmanBooked at 53mins
- 8BanniganBooked at 73mins
- 11LawlessBooked at 63minsSubstituted forStevensonat 69'minutes
- 7CraigenSubstituted forDoolanat 56'minutes
- 15HigginbothamBooked at 59mins
- 29TaylorSubstituted forWilsonat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Fox
- 9Doolan
- 10Stevenson
- 21Richards-Everton
- 22Fraser
- 23Wilson
- 28McDaid
- Referee:
- Alan Muir
- Attendance:
- 3,358
Match Stats
Home TeamRoss CountyAway TeamPartick Thistle
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ross County 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Paul Quinn.
Post update
Attempt missed. Filip Kiss (Ross County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Graham Carey replaces Michael Gardyne.
Post update
Attempt saved. Filip Kiss (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Jake Jervis (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Abdul Osman (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Frederic Frans (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Filip Kiss replaces Craig Curran.
Post update
Foul by Martin Woods (Ross County).
Post update
Abdul Osman (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. David Wilson (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Stevenson (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner from a direct free kick.
Booking
Michael Gardyne (Ross County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Jake Jervis replaces Liam Boyce.
Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Quinn (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Frederic Frans.
