All change as Partick top table

Published on Sunday 4 October 2009 23:37

First Division

PARTICK Thistle's jump to the top of the table after their 2-0 home win over Airdrie United emphasised the tight nature of the Irn-Bru SFL First Division, with the Firhill club now the sixth side to top the league since it kicked off two months ago.

After Scott McLaughlin was sent off for the visitors just before half-time for using an elbow,

Bryan Hodge broke the deadlock when he finished off a fine passing move in 53 minutes, and Simon Donnelly netted the second after good build up play by substitute Mark Corcoran.

With Firhill hit by a flu bug last week, Partick manager Ian McCall was delighted with the result. "This week has been a bit of a shambles and there was hardly anyone in training and some of the players are still not right. It is therefore great to get three points and go top."

Airdrie boss Kenny Black said: "Scott's sending off was a defining moment in the game. The extra man and the early goal in the second half put Thistle very much in control."

Thistle's elevation to the summit came at the expense of a Queen of the South side that went down 3-2 at home to Morton. Brian Graham put Morton ahead after 12 minutes and former Doonhamer Peter Weatherson added a second before half-time with Allan Jenkins making it three just before an hour had been played.

Substitute Stewart Kean set up Barry Wilson for a goal before finding the net himself, but Gordon Chisholm's side could not get back on level terms.

Morton stand-in manager James Grady said: "I am confident that we have a side that can match anyone in this division."

Queens manager Chisholm said: "We lost bad goals and at 3-0 we had a mountain to climb."