Flashback Buddies hit Jags early

St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition - and a history to match.

They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.

In today’s Flashback we look at this eventful clash between Partick Thistle and St Mirren in January 2015 ahead of the Jags visit to Paisley tomorrow night.

James Dayton scored early on his debut as St Mirren held on for a precious Premiership victory at Firhill.

The on- loan Oldham winger ( pictured) shot the visitors ahead on six minutes and Gary Teale’s men were seldom troubled as they doggedly defended their lead.

In a dreadfully scrappy game, Partick Thistle dominated possession but lacked the imagination to break down opponents who were happy to sit deep.

The visitors, with captain Steven Thompson back after hernia surgery to lead the attack, started strongly, winning a couple of corners.

And from the second of those setpieces the Buddies went ahead as a defensive header fell to Dayton in the penalty box and his scuffed shot from 16 yards found the bottom corner of the net.

Stung by the early goal, the home side began to dictate play, without creating too many clear openings.

The scores should have been level when Callum Booth, making his first Jags appearance after a loan switch from Hibs, delivered a fantastic curling cross from the left.

Ryan Stevenson just had to get a touch right in front of goal but was a fraction out with the timing of his attempted header.

Kallum Higginbotham gathered the loose ball to tee up Stephen O’Donnell and the full-back’s thumping strike was pushed away by Mark Ridgers.

St Mirren immediately launched a counter-attack, with full-back Jeroen Tesselaar carrying the ball all the way to the edge of the opponents’ penalty area before laying it off for Kenny McLean to drag a shot wide.

Thistle were pressing again early in the second half but Ridgers had no trouble dealing with weak efforts from Steven Lawless and Higginbotham, while O’Donnell and Stevenson lashed efforts off target.

Alan Archibald’s team had scored seven in their previous two outings but gave their support nothing to cheer in the final half hour as St Mirren central defenders Jim Goodwin and Marc

McAusland coped comfortably with a succession of high, hopeful balls.

The visitors threatened from a late corner as Stevie Mallan’s delivery was allowed to land in a busy penalty area and bounced an inch or so over the head of McAusland, with the home defence posted missing, but it had rarely looked like a second goal was necessary.