Partick boss thanks fans for helping in survival fight

Par tick Thistle boss Alan Archibald has called on the club’s fans to keep acting as a 12th man as the battle to retain their Scottish Premiership status continues.

The Glasgow club picked up the bill for eight coaches to travel to St Johnstone on Saturday and their supporters were rewarded with a crucial 1- 1 draw following Connor Sammon’s late penalty.

The Jags sit second bottom, two points above Friday night’s opponents Ross County and Archibald has thanked the fans for their continued support.

“The fans and the backing has been great,” Archibald said. “The club are putting on a special deal for them again. They did it the other week and they came out in great numbers and the players feed off that backing.”

St Johnstone were heading for victor y courtesy of skipper Joe Shaughnessy’s first- half header. But when substitute Ryan Edwards was sent sprawling in the box by midfielder Li am Craig, Hearts loanee Sammon was given the opportunity to tuck away a vital spot- kick.

The decision to throw on the Irish striker in place of Steven Lawless rather than out-of-form Chris Erskine soon after the interval was not warmly welcomed by the Jags fans but Archibald’ s call was vindicated.

“It could have been eitheror for the sub but Con or gave us that impact with the goal,” said Archibald.

“I think Martin Woods wanted to hit the penalty but you wouldn’ t argue with someone the size of Conor. He slotted it away and it keeps the momentum going. He’s a cool customer and a total professional so I had ever y confidence in him.”

After losing to Dundee the previous week, St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was frustrated after conceding another poor goal. He said :“It is something that has cost us three points because we were easily the better side.”