Gary feeling Miles better

Controversial Storey goal gets gaffer over line

first win. More importantly it was a vital win and hopefully we can build on that.”

McGuigan earned the penalty then converted it in the seventh minute but Sinclair replied instantly from close range.

Sub Cook hit the winner late on and City gaffer Barry Smith said: “Naivety is costing us.”

let his head go down. He came in there apologetic but there was nothing to be apologetic for.”

Leighton McIntosh had given Airdrie a third-minute lead as the woodwork denied pal Grant Gallagher’s deflected shot.

Diamonds boss Ian Murray said: “Dumbarton were better than us and deserved their point.” Gary Caldwell ended 630 minutes of frustration as he finally sealed his first win as Thistle boss.

But Dunfermline were left furious as they reckon Miles Storey’s killer goal wasn’t over the line

Blair Spittal put the Jags ahead early then linesman Alan Grainger decided that Storey’s cute back-heel had gone in before Pars keeper Lee Robinson clawed it away.

Caldwell said: “We’ll take the decision. Miles has pace and when he wants to run behind defenders he must be difficult to play against.

“It’s been a long time coming but we got what we deserved. It’s a start and we have to put a run of results together. With that desire and commitment I’m sure we can.

“We showed hunger and desire to keep the ball out and were a threat going forward.”

Thistle went in front in the 12th minute. James Penrice crossed from the left, Kris Doolan knocked the ball back to the edge of the box and Spittal hammered a low shot into the bottom corner.

They might have gone further ahead as they created four other good opportunities. Storey forced Robinson into an excellent block then got a second bite. He stood the ball up to the back post for Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo but the striker headed over from

Partick Thistle .... 2 Dunfermline ....... 0

Lindsay Herron

four yards. Doolan was played in by debutant Dan Jefferies in 31 minutes but Robinson made a great smothering save.

The Fifers had offered very little but they came to life at the end of the first half.

Robbie Mu i r h e a d ’ s long-range effort skimmed the top of the bar before Danny Devine hit the woodwork with a downward header from Muirhead’s corner.

Jamie Sneddon then made a sensational save from Faisal El Baktaoui ’s header. The break couldn’t come quick enough for Thistle and they won it early in the second half.

In the 56th minute James Penrice burst into the box and teed up Storey.

The Englishman produced a terrific flick that was given over the line before Robinson could claw the ball away.

Pars boss Alan Johnston said: “It was a big call for the second goal which was the sucker blow. It’s impossible for the linesman to see if the ball’s in or not with the way Lee dives.

“Usually players are honest and they were adamant it hadn’t gone over the line. It was very close but they’re probably the def ining moments that kill you.

“You’ve got to be 100 per cent right. You can’t just guess. But we’ve still got to deal with the cross better and stop it in the first place. We also had to take our chances when we penned Partick Thistle in.”