PARTICK THISTLE 2
Gordon (59, 66)
MORTON 1
Baird (61)
TEN-MAN Thistle secured their first home league win of the season courtesy of substitute Shea Gordon’s double during a barnstorming second half at Firhill.
It looked like an uphill struggle when Stuart Bannigan saw red early in the second half but the Jags dug deep to leave boss Ian McCall thrilled.
He said: “There have been a lot of lows but we have had eight games and won four and lost four. If you offered me a 50% win-rate for the rest of my career I would take it.
“I thought it was a red card but Hoppy (Morton boss David Hopkin) just said it was a yellow. I haven’t seen it back but it did change the game.
“It was great for our fans to see a lot of guts.”
The Jags made an impressive start and Kenny Miller missed a sitter when Osman Kakay’s drilled cross was parried by Sam Ramsbottom to the veteran striker who somehow blazed over from four yards.
Thistle did everything but score in the opening 20 minutes during which defender Ben Hall went closest when his header rebounded off the bar.
The game burst into life during a thrilling 15-minute spell on the restart. First, Bannigan was sent off on 53 minutes. The Thistle midfielder went in late on Cameron Salkeld and, after remonstrations from the Morton players, referee Bobby Madden brandished a red card.
McCall introduced Gordon on 58 minutes and it proved to be an inspired change as he scored just 15 seconds after entering the pitch. Reece Cole’s long freekick was cleared into his path and he struck home from the edge of the box.
Thistle’s lead only lasted three minutes, Jack Baird rising to head Chris Millar’s cross beyond Scott Fox.
Thistle reclaimed the lead when Cammy Palmer’s deep cross evaded the Morton defenders for Gordon to calmly slide home.
Morton penned the hosts in for the rest of the game and Baird almost equalised at the death but his header sailed wide.
Visiting boss David Hopkin admitted: “We gave away two poor goals as we did last week against Dundee. I’ve told the players in no uncertain terms it’s not good enough and I won’t accept it any more.”