AYR UNITED 0

PARTICK THISTLE 4 Docherty (30), Graham 33, 81), Gordon (90)

Jags made it seven league games unbeaten and celebrated a fifth clean sheet in a row as they climbed into the top four of the Championship.

A double from Brian Graham, a deflected free-kick from skipper Ross Docherty and a stoppage-time strike from Shay Gordon gave Thistle their second 4-0 win over Ayr in six weeks.

Coach Alan Archibald claimed: “It was a brilliant professional performance.

“Once we settled down we thoroughly deserved it and we went on to run the game.

“Ayr have had some good positive results, including last week against Inverness, but I thought we were really impressive.

“Now we are trying to improve on the last quarter and hopefully we can do that.”

Thistle took the lead after half an hour, albeit with a slice of good fortune. Docherty, who was five years an Honest Man, fired in a free-kick from 22 yards out which cannoned off Ayr’s defensive wall and wrong-footed keeper Aidan McAdams.

Jags doubled their lead three minutes later.

Kyle Turner sent over a corner kick from the right and Graham pounced in a flash to volley the ball home for a stunning finish.

Ayr’s closest to a consolation came three minutes into the second period when Tomi Adeloye flung over an inviting cross but Paddy Reading was just unable to convert.

But they were killed off with nine minutes to go when Graham rose at the back post to nod home a cross from Ciaran McKenna.

Sub Shay Gordon had the last word when he drilled home a Stuart Bannigan cross right at the death.

Ayr have won only one of their last eight games and boss Jim Duffy admitted: “We were beaten by a better team although I felt the scoreline was harsh.

“The first 20 minutes we played pretty well but then lost a terrible goal through the wall which was horrendous.

“For the second goal, we lost Brian Graham, who is one of the most potent strikers in the division.

“We have to accept that kind of scoreline at home deserves criticism of myself and the players.

“As much as Thistle are a good side, we shouldn’t be losing as heavily as that. We have to try and do a lot better, particularly at home.

“It was about the key moments and we made crucial errors and allowed Thistle to take advantage.”