DOOLS HOMES IN
Kris savours a Firhill return
Kris Doolan hailed the perfect start to his tenure as new permanent Partick Thistle manager as his side coasted to victory.
Having only been named as the full-time gaffer on Friday following a successful interim spell, a Scott Tiffoney double and Brian Graham strike grabbed three massive points.
And keeper David Mitchell even got in on the act, saving a late Lewis Vaughan penalty to preserve the clean sheet and close the gap on leaders Queen’s Park to five points.
Delighted Doolan said: “It was absolutely perfect, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Great performance, great goals, kept a clean sheet and we had other results going our way as well.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the performance and the type of goals we scored. I only want the best for the club and it’s only right we give them 100 per cent effort – you saw that on the pitch.
“We’re further into the mix now but that wasn’t a f luke, it was through hard work. I’m delighted for the players.”
Partick edged ahead six minutes before the interval when Tiffoney headed home Kyle Turner’s cross.
Graham went close to doubling in the second half but his powerful 22-yard drive was tipped over by Jamie MacDonald.
The striker did get on the scoresheet after 53 minutes when a Harry Milne ball across goal was perfect for Graham to tap in.
Partick’s third came in the 63rd minute as Steven Lawless played a perfectly weighted through-ball for Tiffoney to run onto and produce a composed finish past MacDonald.
Raith had the chance of a late consolation after Dylan Easton was tripped by Jack McMillan but Vaughan’s spot-kick was saved by Mitchell, who then produced another stop to deny Liam Dick. The resultresu ended Raith’s 1414-game unbeaten bbut manager Ian MMurray said: “We ggot wha t we dedeserved out of the gagame – which was nonothing. A really popoor performance.”