Erskine winner’s just the tonic for Partick
THE impact of transfer deadline day on a team’s fortunes has never been more apparent than in the case of these two clubs this week.
Going into the final day of the window, Morton were on a high. Coming off the back of a superb win against Ross County, the Greenock side were sitting second in the table.
Partick Thistle, on the other hand, had just suffered a horrendous defeat at the hands of Dundee United, losing star defender Tam O’Ware through injury in the process.
By Thursday, it was clear who the favourites were going into Saturday’s match in the west end of Glasgow. Fast-forward 24 hours and things looked vastly different.
Ray McKinnon’s shock move to Falkirk threw more than just a spanner in the works.
Morton’s players, backroom staff and fans were all left with their jaws on the floor at what had transpired on Friday evening.
While all this was going on, Alan Archibald was fixing Thistle’s defensive woes, bringing in Tam Scobbie and Daniel Jeffries on loan from both Dundee clubs.
Former Morton striker Jai Quitongo also signed to bolster Thistle’s attacking options and Archibald was finally able to field a full bench for the first time this season.
Morton caretaker Derek Anderson admitted: ‘It was a whirlwind. John Sutton and I were at the Under-18 game against Inverness on Friday night when the phone calls started coming in.
‘We didn’t get any time to work with the players but spoke to the more experienced ones in the dressing room. It was hard. Even one session with the players would have helped.
‘At the end of the day, you don’t get to pick your opportunities in football, they come along. Ray got an opportunity and decided to act on it. That’s his decision.
‘Acrimony in dressing room? The lads were not too happy. But that’s football.’
It was thought the events of the 24 hours prior to kick-off would be the confidence boost needed to kick-start the Jags’ season, but the first half left much to be desired.
Morton were unlucky not to go in front inside two minutes when Bob McHugh slipped Denny Johnstone through on goal.
The striker was able to get into the six-yard box, but his close-range shot was stopped by Cammy Bell and Thistle’s defence was able to clear the danger.
The hosts edged the first half in chances created, with Chris Erskine providing the biggest threat, the veteran denied a goal when Ryan Scully palmed his strike out of the air as the first half ended goalless.
The second 45 minutes could only improve and sure enough they did.
Four minutes after the break, Craig Slater threatened down the left wing and sent a low cross into the box. It found Erskine and the Thistle forward struck the ball first time past Scully.
Archibald will feel aggrieved that his side weren’t awarded a second goal six minutes later.
Slater’s corner fell to Kris Doolan in the middle of the box and he fired the ball in off the bar and over the line. However, linesman Jordan Stokoe claimed he couldn’t confirm if it had crossed the line and, after much deliberation with referee Barry Cook, the goal was not given.
The Thistle players were having none of it and Erskine was booked for dissent after making his thoughts known to Cook.
It could have been a mistake which cost Archibald’s side victory if it hadn’t been for the safe gloves of Bell.
Substitute Ben Armour was twice foiled by the keeper as Morton searched for an equaliser.
But Thistle weren’t going to let the decision deny them the win.
Archibald said: ‘I’m only calm that we won the game and the decision didn’t cost us.
‘I was on the halfway line and I turned round to Scott Paterson and said: “Look at that, Dools misses from a yard and now he’s put it in the top corner”.
‘I saw it clearly. The shot hit the stanchion and that’s two yards into the net. It’s not even close. It’s ridiculous. Everyone in the stadium can see it’s a goal and the reaction of the players proves that.’