MacLean acrobatics seal Saints victory

Eye-catching goal from veteran striker edges out Jags as Perth men keep pace with Hearts

Steven MacLean and goalkeeper Zander Clark were St Johnstone’s heroes as they secured a valuable victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill last night.

An eye-catching bicycle kick from the striker put them ahead on 40 minutes, pouncing on slack defending from the Jags. It wasn’t all about the goal, though, as goalkeeper Clark produced a string of fine saves at the other end of the pitch.

The 1-0 win means they stay in fifth spot in the Premiership, level on points with Hearts who hammered Rangers at Tynecastle.

The men from Perth made a couple of changes to the side that started the home 3-0 win over Hamilton Accies on Saturday.

Paul Paton and Blair Alston both dropped down to the bench, with Chris Millar and Liam Craig taking their places in midfield. There was no place in the squad for young defender Clive Smith, the deadline day signing from Preston North End.

Thistle, who had not lost in five matches, brought in Kris Doolan up front in place of Ade Azeez, who dropped to the bench.

The visitors were on the attack on five minutes when frontman MacLean found time to turn and shoot but his strike was deflected for a corner.

The Jags looked dangerous a minute later when Christie Elliott raced up the right before firing the ball over, with Ryan Edwards missing the cutback by inches.

Murray Davidson tried to pick MacLean out with a cross after a terrific run but the ball was intercepted by Jags goalie Tomas Cerny.

Saints had been enjoying the better of the early possession but, on 18 minutes, Thistle pushed forward and Edwards fired over from 25 yards. The ball may or may not have ended up on the roof of the flats behind the goal.

Steven Lawless shot wide for Partick then St Johnstone keeper Clark was called on to save a header from Doolan on 20 minutes.

It should have been 1-0 to Thistle on 23 minutes, with Edwards somehow hitting the side-netting with his header after the ball had spun his way following Clark’s fine save from Lawless. It was a huge let-off for Tommy Wright’s men.

They got out of jail again six minutes later. Niall Keown, watched by father and former Arsenal defender Martin, looked certain to score when a corner fell to him at the back post but Clark did brilliantly to stand up and parry the strike.

On 34 minutes, a Richard Foster chip was well gathered by Cerny but the visitors made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time.

MacLean was the man who was smart and alert, pouncing on defender Callum Booth’s short back-header before executing an acrobatic kick that sent the ball flying into the Thistle net.

Saints were maybe slightly fortunate to be ahead given the amount of Thistle chances but the players looked delighted as they walked off at the break.

The home team were on the attack right after the restart and on-form keeper Clark had to look lively again to tip a Doolan header around the post.

The Jags brought on Adeez for Chris Erskine then, just before the hour-mark, Saints had Danny Swanson booked for simulation inside the Partick box.

With Abdul Osman now on for Sean Welsh, the hosts were going for it but Clark was in the way once again on 66 minutes when he dived to save a downward header from Azeez.

It was the Perth side’s turn to make a change on 71 minutes, with Swanson replaced by David Wotherspoon, while Thistle used up their subs when David Amoo came on for Doolan a minute later.

The onus was on the home club to go on the attack but they struggled to break down the visitors’ defence.

With 79 minutes on the clock, Graham Cummins had a chance as St Johnstone broke forward but he snatched at his shot form the edge of the area and it flew over.

Saints broke away again just a minute later but sub Wotherspoon’s curling effort sailed past the post.

The game was still in the balance as it reached the closing stages but in stoppage time Partick’s Elliott was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Cummins and it was game over.