KRIS SENDS JAGS FANS DOOLALLY
was very confident in scoring. If you get one chance, you have to take it.
“Now we believe we can do this. The changing-room is buzzing again and this is a big shot in the arm for us.”
Dundee were aiming for three straight wins to try and send their fans away with a positive vibe over the summer.
They made four changes to the side who triumphed at Ross County with young keeper Calum Ferrie winning his f irst start between the sticks.
There was a f i rst star t for teenager Daniel Jef feries although Darren O’Dea missed out through suspension.
While Dundee could relax a little, Thistle arrived on Tayside knowing this 90 minutes would have a huge bearing on their future.
The under-threat Jags had gone He’s not played for Scotland or won trophies but Kris Doolan may be the most important player ever for Partick Thistle – Johnny Penman (@gadgeagoogoo) down to Motherwell on Tuesday and knew defeat would see them automatically relegated, if rivals Ross County could muster a win over St Johnstone in Perth.
Yet it was the hosts who threatened first as Murray cut in from the left and showed no hesitation in firing a shot just past Tomas Cerny’s far post.
Then, in the third minute, the visitors almost took a dream lead.
Christie El l iott’s deep cross was inchperfect for Adam Barton whose header was destined for the top corner until Ferrie pulled off a spectacular diving save at the expense of a corner.
As news filtered through of bottom side County taking an early lead at McDiarmid Park against Saints, an edginess spread through the large travelling support. Archibald’s players, though, were trying their best to take care of their own business and were attacking at every opportunity with Conor Sammon proving a handful in the air. At the other end, Dundee came close in 27 minutes. Skipper Paul McGowan ghosted past a couple of Thistle challenges before u n l e a s h i ng a 12-yard shot which Cerny did well to fist away to safety. With 10 minutes to go unt i l the inter val , Steven Lawless went on a surging run, only for his eventual shot to lack convict ion and Fer r ie gathered comfortably.
Soon after, the Jags ought to have taken the lead. A loose ball fell to Miles Storey who was 12 yards from goal but the winger screwed his effort just past Ferrie’s post as the v isit ing fans rose in anticipation behind the goal.
Thistle were heading down unless things changed so Archibald went for broke at the break.
Former Dundee Uni ted favourite Blair Spittal replaced Storey and within minutes of the restar t they a lmost made the breakthrough.
Spittal ’s corner was met by defender Daniel Devine and his bullet header was brilliantly saved by Ferrie.
Dundee weren’t letting Thistle have it all their own way. Cammy Kerr’s darting run ended with the full- back smashing a left- foot strike wide of the target.
But the Maryhill men struck in 63 minutes.
Murray lost possession on his own halfway line and the Jags were quick to take advantage as they raced forward.
Lawless slid the ball through to Doolan who remained the calmest person inside Dens to poke his f inish from 10 yards past the advancing Ferrie and send the visiting support into raptures.
Still, they weren’t totally safe as Dutchman Randy Wolters saw his low drive turned round the post by Cerny to relieve the pressure on Thistle late on.
But it mat tered l it tle as St Johnstone hit an injury-time equaliser through in Perth as Archibald’s warriors now gear up for this week’s showdown with Livi. Dundee Partick Thistle