Partick Thistle 1 - 0 Stranraer: Jags qualify with narrow win

Christie Elliot opens the scoring. Picture: SNS/Alan Harvey

The visitors had only pride to play for but made life difficult for Thistle in a forgettable first 45 minutes.

Thistle piled on the pressure in the second half with the best chances falling to Chris Erskine.

It looked as though the Jags would be making an early exit from the cup, but Christie drilled home to ensure they clinched one of the four best runners-up places after finishing second to Livingston in Group H.

The League One side created the first real chance when Kyle Turner’s corner was met by Grant Anderson but his glancing header evaded Stephen Okoh at the far post.

The home fans were frustrated about Thistle’s lack of urgency with the Jags only having a free kick from Steven Lawless to note in the opening half hour.

After the break Doolan replaced Nisbet and in-form Spittal stung the palms of Max Currie as Thistle searched for an opener.

Erskine then blazed over after being played in by Spittal.

At the other end Okoh elected to shoot himself when he should have played in substitute Paul Woods in a promising move which fizzled out.

Erskine passed up another opportunity when he failed to connect properly with Callum Booth’s delivery before he was denied again by Currie moments later.

Partick continued to pile on the pressure in desperate search of a winner and substitute Ryan Edwards thought he had provided it but his shot sailed narrowly over.

But they finally broke the deadlock on 87 minutes as the ball broke loose to Elliott and he fired home from the edge of the box much to the relief of the Firhill faithful.