ATMOS CAN BE OUR LOSS
Jack: Our fans can gee up rivals
Jack Ross last night warned his champs-elect their rivals are getting a boost by jumping on their title bandwagon. More than 700 St Mirren fans swelled the crowd in Inverness yesterday. But Saints’ 2- 0 lead from goals by Harry Davis and Lewis Morgan was clawed back late on by Thistle. Gary Warren and Liam Polworth netted – and Buds gaffer Jack says opponents are now thriving on the title run-in atmosphere. He said: “It’s not easy to win leagues. This is another point towards the total that says we can’t be caught.
“I don’t care when we win it or how we win it.
“With the great crowd we bring and the atmosphere they create, I know myself as a player the opposition thrive on that as well. We’ll have to deal with it.”
Caley Jags keeper Mark Ridgers was in brilliant form to deny the title favourites, including a superb penalty stop.
Jack’s men took the lead after four minutes.
Coll Donaldson hauled down Danny Mullen allowing Davis to hammer home a confident penalty.
Ridgers twice denied Morgan with f ine saves then blocked Mullen’s header.
But ref Alan Newlands felt Carl Tremarco had bumped Davis in the melee and awarded a second penalty.
This time the keeper made a superb save with his legs from Davis.
Iain Vigurs struck the post for Thistle and the visitors survived two penalty claims by Inverness.
Morgan seemed to have secured a win in 70 minutes when his freekick stunner finally beat Ridgers.
But Inverness fired in two replies in three minutes – a header by Warren and Polworth’s stunning 25-yard free-kick.
Ca ley Thist le boss John Robertson said: “There were a few questionable decisions.
“I have to admit we’re feeling a sense of injustice.”