McCall dedicates fight-back to fans
DUNDEE 1
McGowan (26)
PARTICK THISTLE 3
Miller (85), Gordon (89), Mansell (91)
Ecstatic Ian McCall hailed his brave Partick Thistle troops – then dedicated their last-gasp Dens Park win to their long-suffering fans.
McCall’s bottom-dogs came back from the dead with three sensational strikes in the last six minutes to dump Dundee, who had stormed into a 26th-minute lead through Paul McGowan.
Thistle still sit bottom of the table but McCall’s magic is beginning to work as he celebrated his second win in three league games since returning to Firhill for his second stint as manager, thanks to goals from Kenny Miller, Shea Gordon and Lewis Mansell.
And he was quick to salute those travelling supporters who went wild with delight on seeing their side’s dramatic late show.
Jags boss McCall said: “That was one for the fans. It was just great seeing them so happy like that in the end.
“They’ve had a couple of years where it’s not been easy for them but they’ve stuck by us.
“I thought for half an hour we were outplayed but we deserved the three points on our second-half performance.”
James McPake’s hosts were looking to carry on from where they left off a fortnight earlier when they defeated Arbroath 2-0.
It was all Dundee from the whistle and McGowan’s 16th-minute shot looked destined for the top corner, until Scott Fox pulled off a spectacular save.
However, they didn’t have to wait too long for the breakthrough.
Declan McDaid’s through ball was perfect for McGowan to run onto and he kept his head to roll a cultured finish past Fox.
Thistle’s attacks were few and far between but they began brightly after the break and began to threaten and soon after Miller released Ryan Williamson whose low effort was palmed away by Hamilton.
Ex-Dundee man Gary Harkins was thrown on by McCall towards the end to try to spark a comeback.
Harkins was only on the park three minutes when he watched his header from Wiliamson’s corner crash off the post.
But Miller levelled in 85 minutes when he drilled home from 12 yards after a low cut-back from Williamson.
Then, on 89 minutes, Gordon put the Maryhill men in front with an exquisite low shot from Lewis Mansell’s assist.
Two minutes later, Mansell made it 3-1 as he raced clear and shot home.
Deflated Dundee boss McPake said: “We got out of the game what we deserved for that second-half performance.
“It’s disappointing and worrying. We got spooked towards the end of the first half.
“You cannot defend like what we did in the closing minutes.”