First Division: McNamara wary after perfect Thistle make best start since 1984

Published on 24/09/2012 04:32

Perfect Partick Thistle had a bit of a quiver before making it six First Division wins in a row by defeating Cowdenbeath 2-1 at Firhill and, despite their best start in the league since 1984, manager Jackie McNamara reckons his side are still not favourites for promotion.

Aaron Muirhead gave the Jags a first-half lead from the penalty spot after a Marc McKenzie foul on Chris Erskine. However, a fine goal from distance four minutes into the second half by Jamie Stevenson saw the Blue Brazil level.

Thistle started to look ragged and home goalkeeper Scott Fox denied McKenzie before Thistle managed to secure all three points when Scott Linton turned an Aaron Sinclair cross into his own net 20 minutes from time.

McNamara said, “I am pleased as we showed a bit of character, and that is character that we did not have last season. We are doing great, but I said at the start of the season that Dunfermline were the favourites for promotion and we are only three points ahead of them despite a great run.”

Dunfermline made it five wins out of six by seeing off Livingston 4-0 at East End Park with Andy Barrowman starting the scoring on 26 minutes when Ryan Wallace took advantage of a Jesus Garcia Tena error to set up his striking partner. They were two goals up four minutes later when Barrowman turned provider for Jordan McMillan to net, and the one-sided contest was definitely over when substitute Ryan Thomson headed in on the hour mark.

Barrowman ended the scoring when he lobbed over Andy McNeil with 25 minutes to go.

Morton moved into third with a 1-0 home success over Raith Rovers. There was a controversial start as former Morton striker Brian Graham was yellow-carded after only 18 seconds following an overly robust challenge on David Graham. Steven Stirling scored his first goal for the Cappielow club with a rasper from 30 yards, with 20 minutes left. It was enough to seal the three points as manager Allan Moore’s team made it three successive wins.

Falkirk and Airdrie drew 1-1. The Bairns went ahead in the first half from a Stewart Murdoch penalty after Sean Higgins had been fouled, but Alan Cook converted a Nathan Blockley cross from close range in the 
second period to level. At the foot of the table, Dumbarton looked set for their first win of the season as they deservedly led visitors Hamilton 3-1 with just two minutes left.

However, just as the Accies fans were getting on the back of manager Billy Reid, on-loan Celtic youngster James Keatings pounced twice to see the game end at 3-3. Keatings stabbed in a Steven May cut-back and, as referee John McKendrick allowed deep in added time, netted again with Dumbarton convinced that goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay had been fouled in the build-up.

Hamilton’s Ali Crawford had shot his side into the lead on 21 minutes, but Dumbarton drew level 12 minutes later when Lee Kilday headed into his own goal. Jim Lister headed in a Mark Lamont cross on 73 minutes and it was 3-1 just four minutes later when Bryan Prunty slammed home after a Lamont shot had been blocked.