ARBROATH MADE TO FIGHT FOR VICTORY TO MAINTAIN TITLE PACE

ARBROATH kept the pressure on Championship leaders Kilmarnock with a battling 1-0 home win over Ayr United.

Jack Hamilton was the hero for the hosts, scoring five minutes into the second half following a corner.

Dick Campbell’s side, who remain two points behind Killie, controlled the majority of the match but couldn’t add to Hamilton’s strike.

The visitors had Sam Ashford sent off 12 minutes from time for a foul on Jason Thomson.

In the other match, Partick Thistle were on the end of a 4-0 home thumping from Hamilton. Accies went ahead after 18 minutes when Andy Ryan pounced on an error from Jags goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon.

The visitors extended their lead when David Moyo scored with a low shot from inside the box on the brink of half-time.

Ryan made it three five minutes after the break, firing home off the post.

Accies put the game to bed on 62 minutes when Andy Winter broke through and slotted home.