JAGS JOY AFTER SENSE OF INJUSTICE

PARTICK THISTLE manager Ian McCall was delighted to secure three vital points despite key referee decisions not going the Jags’ way.

McCall was adamant referee Matthew MacDermid was wrong to disallow Harry Milne’s first-half goal for offside and, with the score poised at 2-1 in their favour, they should have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages when Kyle Turner’s shot struck the outstretched arm of Scott Brown.

Had Raith’s Ethan Ross scored his second when through on goal in the final minutes, McCall may not have been able to brush off the referee’s decisions. However, he was relieved these moments did not cost Thistle the win which moved them to within a point of Championship pacesetters

Ayr United following first-half strikes by Scott Tiffoney and Steven Lawless.

McCall said: ‘It was a great win. We scored a perfectly good goal, I’ve seen it and he’s level, I’ve seen the handball and it’s a penalty, but then Raith had a great chance to make it 2-2. It could have been one of those days but I don’t think anyone can begrudge us the win.’

Partick took just three minutes to edge ahead as Tiffoney lashed home a low shot for his first of the season. Milne then turned in a Stuart Bannigan shot from close range after Raith had partially cleared a corner but the full-back was flagged offside.

A second did arrive three minutes before the break when Lawless slotted past Jamie MacDonald.

But Raith halved the deficit as David Mitchell’s clearance went straight to Sam Stanton, who played in Ross and he curled a shot into the corner.

Raith sub Kyle Connell hit the post and moments after MacDermid had turned down Partick’s penalty appeal for Brown’s handball, Ross was through on goal but fired wide.

Raith boss Ian Murray said: ‘Ethan knows himself he has to score.’