McPake brace send Jags tumbling off top of table
QUEEN’S PARK 4
Robson (26), Eze (51), McPake (56, 86)
Partick were knocked off the top of the Championship as they crashed spectacularly to their first home defeat of the season in all competitions and Queen’s Park announced themselves as serious title contenders.
Queen’s boss Owen Coyle said: “It was nice to win, but the clean sheet was the more pleasing aspect.
“The second half was as good a performance as we’ve had all season and we were the better team, there is no argument about that.
“We are trying to keep on an upward trajectory. We think we’ve brought some very good footballers to the club and I thought Josh McPake was outstanding.
“We are attack minded and have to keep ourselves in games. We have good character and good resolve.”
Queen’s, without a victory in their previous three games, were desperate to get back to winning ways and, after just six minutes, Jack Thomson burst down the right and fired over a shot that goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon did well to scoop over.
Thistle should have taken the lead in 22 minutes when they were awarded a spot-kick after Lee Kilday handled a Brian Graham flick. But Aaron Muirhead saw his right-foot shot crash back off the base of a post.
Queen’s went ahead four minutes later when Thomson played in Tommy Robson on the left to dart in and slide the ball past Sneddon.
Thistle almost levelled matters on the half-hour mark when Stevie
Lawless cut the ball back to Stuart Bannigan but his 18-yard effort skimmed the top of the crossbar.
The Jags incredibly missed an open goal in 33 minutes when Kyle Turner, eight yards out, delayed his shot and defender Stephen Eze had time to recover and block. Two minutes later Queen’s goalkeeper Calum Ferrie produced a stunning save to turn round an effort from Scott Tiffoney.
Queen’s were much more positive after the break and doubled their lead in 51 minutes after Thistle had made two substitutions in quick succession.
After Sneddon needlessly conceded a corner, Thomas whipped the ball over from the left and Eze rose unchallenged to head high into the net from 12 yards out.
The points were wrapped up in 56 minutes when Simon Murray had a shot saved by Sneddon, the ball broke to Josh McPake on the left and he drilled the ball low into the far corner of the net from 15 yards.
Thistle had the chance to pull a goal back in 68 minutes but Ferrie produced another excellent save from Jack McMillan.
Queen’s might have had a fourth in 69 minutes when Thomson raced through but Sneddon blocked his shot with his legs.
The fourth finally arrived four minutes from time when McPake netted a brilliant individual effort from 16 yards.
Jags head coach Ian McCall said: “I didn’t see that coming after the first half and should have been two or three up at half-time. That was Aaron’s 33rd penalty and he’s scored 31 of them. But anyone can miss a penalty.
“We became ragged and looked tired. It is a sore one. It is now how we react on Tuesday at Ayr. If we win we go back top.”