Fitzpatrick late show gives Jags a critical boost
PARTICK THISTLE moved off the bottom of the Championship with a dramatic last-minute victory over Dundee United as Robbie Neilson’s side slipped further behind leaders Ross County in the title race.
Gary Caldwell’s men had taken an early lead through a Scott McDonald header, but Nicky Clark looked like he had snatched a point for the visitors with 14 minutes remaining.
Both teams then went for a winner and teenager Aidan Fitzpatrick — who had just spurned a golden opportunity late on — scored the clincher for Thistle in the 90th minute.
‘It’s a brilliant three points for us,’ said manager Caldwell. ‘We scored a great goal in the first half when we played well without causing them too many problems.
‘But in terms of character and desire to win the match, the players were outstanding.’
After their strong second-half display in the Scottish Cup tie against Hearts on Monday night, Thistle started this game on the front foot.
And they gained their reward when McDonald gave them the lead after just four minutes.
Joe Cardle’s pinpoint cross sailed over Mark Reynolds and former United striker McDonald couldn’t miss with a header from inside the six-yard box.
Neilson was then dealt another blow after 20 minutes when Osman Sow was forced off injured and replaced by Pavol Safranko.
United did go close to levelling, however, 10 minutes before the interval when Paul McMullan kept Aidan Nesbitt’s cross at the back post in play. Nicky Clark was first to the loose ball but he fired wide.
Referee Alan Newlands was late starting the second half as he sent Neilson to the stand during the interval but the United manager later denied any wrongdoing.
After the break, McDonald went close to scoring his second goal as he capitalised on Reynolds’ poor header back to goal to go one on one with Benjamin Siegrist but the keeper touched the ball wide.
Both sides were denied stonewall penalties in the second half. First, Mark Connolly jostled McDonald to the ground in the 55th minute.
Then Thistle forward Miles Storey brought down United’s Jamie Robson at the other end.
‘I get into trouble when I talk about referees, but I felt it was possibly a penalty,’ said Caldwell.
Neilson declared: ‘I think we all agree that it was unbelievable (the McDonald incident). These are big decisions and it’s one of the most blatant ones you’ll ever see.’
United didn’t let the penalty controversy get to them and in 76 minutes they equalised.
They were awarded a free-kick after Jack McMillan brought down Safranko on the edge of the box and Clark curled his effort into the bottom corner.
From there, both sides could have snatched the win. Cammy Smith and Safranko went close for United, forcing Conor Hazard into two fine saves — but it was Thistle who had the best opportunity.
With five minutes remaining, 17-year-old Fitzpatrick broke forward. Team-mate Lewis Mansell was standing unmarked in the box but the academy graduate went for goal himself and his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Siegrist.
The youngster atoned for his sins, though, in the final minute.
This time, it was Mansell who broke through but rather than try to claim the glory for himself, he slipped the ball to Fitzpatrick and the teenager confidently flicked the ball past Siegrist.