GOOD JOB TO END SLUMP
Saints gaffer Jim’s glad horror run of six defeats is over
ST MIRREN.... PARTICK..........
JIM GOODWIN heaved a sigh of relief as St Mirren fought off a plucky Partick Thistle side to end a run of six defeats.
The Premiership side were second best for long spells against League One opposition but eventually eased to a convincing victory with two late goals.
Richard Tait put Saints in front against the run of play just before half-time with Blair Spittal levelling.
Goals from Jon Obika, a Rhys Breen own goal and a fourth from Dylan Connolly made it look a lot more comfortable that it was, as Goodwin acknowledged.
He said: “I don’t think we’ll get a huge amount of credit for that and we probably shouldn’t. We’re the Premiership team playing against lower league opposition so we’re expected to turn up and win the game comfortably.
“The scoreline will suggest that we did but Partick were excellent. It flatters us slightly.”
Thistle thought they’d opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Brian Graham fired past Jak Alnwick and ran to celebrate only for Marcus Fraser to get back and make a terrific goal-line clearance.
Saints broke the deadlock against the run of play in the final minute before the break when Tait nodded in Jamie McGrath’s cross.
Jags drew level, though, after 66 minutes when Spittal found the bottom corner with a fine strike.
Saints then moved back in front after a neat finish from Obika before two late goals completed a rough night for Thistle.
Firhill boss Ian McCall said: “If it had been 4-1 to us it wouldn’t have flattered us. It’s not often you come to a Premiership team, have 13 good chances and not win.”