Young hits out as Fife let standards drop

East Fife boss Darren Young admitted his Fifers dropped below the standards expected of them as they slipped to defeat to Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Goals either side of the break from former Dundee Un i t e d and St Johnstone forward Brian Graham sealed what was a pretty straightforward win for the Jags.

A period of possession at the start of the second 45 was the best the visitors could boast of on an afternoon where they failed to build on recent positive performances, despite defeat, in cup competition.

“We lowered the s tanda rd o f ou r performance compared to the last two or three games and that was noticeable,” said the Fife manager.

“We had a strong penalty shout at the start before they got their penalty, and whether it was or not is debatable.

“But you just have to get on with it. We had to change our formation to get a foothold in the game because we were allowing them too much possession. It worked well and for the majority of the second half we did well and competed.

“Then, the goal we lose, is a total schoolboy error. It comes from our goal kick, their boy headers it and they go through and score.

“It was nowhere near good enough and it’s frustrating because, as much as they had long spells with the ball, we defended well.”

Partick went ahead with a Graham spot-kick – aw a r d e d after Pa t Slattery was judged to have tripped Connor Murray inside the box – and added a killer second on 78 minutes when Graham lobbed Fife keeper Jordan Hart.