Match ends, Partick Thistle 3, St. Mirren 0.
Partick ThistlePartick Thistle3St MirrenSt Mirren0
Partick Thistle recorded a third consecutive win to guarantee their top-flight status and cast further doubt over St Mirren's chances of staying up.
After dominating the first half, Kallum Higginbotham's cross in the second was headed in by Ryan Stevenson.
Kris Doolan then netted his 10th of the season with a half-volley.
And Steven Lawless added a low, powerful third from 20 yards in injury time as the Jags made themselves safe in the Premiership in style.
It was the first time Thistle have had three successive wins in more than two years.
And it was also a fine tribute to 100-year-old fan James Jones, who was in attendance at Firhill, and former kit man James 'Chico' Reilly, who died recently.
St Mirren are not yet down and out, but clearly in trouble as they are eight points behind Motherwell with nine left to play for.
The physical strength and quick passing of Partick Thistle was too much for St Mirren to get to grips with for the majority of the first half.
Excellent interplay between the likes of Higginbotham, Stevenson and Stephen O'Donnell really should have resulted in a goal on more than one occasion.
Lyle Taylor - in his second spell at Thistle - shot wide early on before Lawless, so often the creator for the Jags, saw two of his efforts go past a post and over the bar.
Even Belgian defender Fred Frans was trying to get in on the goal-scoring act for a second week in a row with a hooked attempt over the shoulder.
St Mirren's one serious attack in the opening 45 minutes resulted in a strong penalty claim. Thomas Reilly's perfect, lofted pass had Jason Naismith marauding into the box and the right-back appeared to be bundled over.
Referee Craig Thomson looked to his official for a flag but the pair's conclusion was 'no penalty'.
After the break, Steven Thompson almost made the most of a mix-up between Conrad Balatoni and Jags goalkeeper Scott Fox, the latter's clearance being charged down by Thompson and spinning wide.
But from there on in Partick took control again. Stevenson rose against a previously sturdy Saints defence to head in his seventh of the season before striker Doolan showed his predatory instincts to convert well on the half-volley.
And Lawless finished excellently with an arrowed effort past Ridgers after a half-clearance.
Line-ups
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Fox
- 2O'DonnellBooked at 35mins
- 13Frans
- 6Balatoni
- 5Booth
- 8Bannigan
- 18Osman
- 11Lawless
- 10Stevenson
- 15HigginbothamBooked at 74minsSubstituted forFraserat 84'minutes
- 29TaylorSubstituted forDoolanat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Craigen
- 9Doolan
- 12Gallacher
- 14Elliott
- 21Richards-Everton
- 22Fraser
- 23Wilson
St Mirren
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Ridgers
- 2Naismith
- 30Baird
- 3Kelly
- 22Tesselaar
- 31MallanBooked at 84mins
- 14ReillySubstituted forGowat 78'minutes
- 17Dayton
- 10SadlierSubstituted forBrownat 69'minutes
- 11Wylde
- 9ThompsonSubstituted forArquinat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Gow
- 15Arquin
- 19Brown
- 28Kello
- 34Morgan
- 36Cuddihy
- 52Genev
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 3,865
Match Stats
Home TeamPartick ThistleAway TeamSt Mirren
- Possession
- Home64%
- Away36%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home11
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Partick Thistle 3, St. Mirren 0.
Goal!
Goal! Partick Thistle 3, St. Mirren 0. Steven Lawless (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Mark Ridgers.
Post update
Attempt saved. Gary Fraser (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Stevenson (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Yoann Arquin (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Gary Fraser replaces Kallum Higginbotham.
Booking
Stephen Mallan (St. Mirren) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Stephen Mallan (St. Mirren).
Goal!
Goal! Partick Thistle 2, St. Mirren 0. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Dayton (St. Mirren) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt missed. Frederic Frans (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Alan Gow replaces Thomas Reilly.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Yoann Arquin replaces Steven Thompson.
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Kris Doolan replaces Lyle Taylor.
