Doolan baffled by Caldwell’s ‘bizarre’ decisions at Firhill

was sent off a minute later for lunging in on McCowan.

Bannigan then saw red in 65 minutes, catching Stephen Kelly on the knee, and Thistle were picked off.

Inevitably, Doolan scored in 73 minutes after Steven Bell’s shot hit the post then Kelly won it for Ayr five minutes later with a fabulous finish.

Doolan said: “It seems to be written in the stars that I’ll score at Firhill at certain key moments.

“It was strange to score against them but I’m an Ayr United player now and I have to give my best for them. Some people are saying it was offside but I don’t know. My job is to put the ball in the net.

“I have a great connection with Thistle and I have friends at the club that will be friends for life.

“I don’t think I had anything to prove and I knew I would get a good reception so it ws a great day for me.”

It took Ayr up to second and Doolan says they can challenge for promotion.

He added: “The play-offs are the aim and after the start we’ve had there is no reason why we can’t get there.”

Zanatta insists Partick can recover and revealed he rejected the chance to join Ayr last week.

He said: “I had a chat with Ian McCall and it’s good to see that other managers in the league respect what I have.

“This was an opportunity for me to come to a club where I can play a big part. I feel as if I showed well for Alloa last season in this division.

“It’s been a tough start. One point from four games isn’t great but from what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think we’ll be down here for long.”