Dunfermline Athletic 3 - 1 Partick Thistle

Published on Saturday 14 November 2009 20:57

Dunfermline Athletic 3 - 1 Partick Thistle

A STUNNING double from Willie Gibson ensured Dunfermline stretched their unbeaten run to seven games at East End Park.

They got off to a dream start with the opening goal after just four minutes. Thistle defender John Robertson needlessly gave away a corner with an attempted pass back which saw winger Gibson step up and swing the ball over and there was Steven McDougall to stab it home.

It was fitting that former Kilmarnock star Gibson should be the provider because he has been getting better and better for Pars as the season has progressed.

He was off on one of his runs again in the 23rd minute only to be stopped in his tracks by Jamie Adams who received a yellow card for his trouble from referee Mike Tumilty.

Five minutes before the break, Gibson made it 2-0 with as good a goal as you will see all season. He chested down a long ball and volleyed it past the outstretched fingers of keeper Craig Hinchcliffe from the edge of the box.

Two minutes after the interval Thistle were right back in it when Paul Cairney sent an unstoppable shot past Dunfermline goalkeeper Greg Fleming.

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre made his first change after an hour, bringing on Graeme Holmes for Alex Burke.

Shortly afterwards Thistle made a double substitution with Steve Lovell and Brian Hodge replacing Simon Donnelly and Jamie Adams before Dunfermline midfielder Nicky Phinn came on for McDougall.

Gibson grabbed his double with another glorious drive in injury time.