Partick Thistle 1 - 3 Berwick Rangers: Thistle lost in the red mist

BERWICK Rangers, a team famous for one of the biggest shocks in Scottish football, wrote another little chapter in the giant-killing stakes with this extraordinary win over nine-man Thistle.

Berwick, who themselves had a man sent off, merited their win though their achievement was almost overshadowed by the pernickety refereeing of Steven McLean.

The Wee Rangers showed little sign of inferiority in taking the game to their more fancied opponents.

Indeed it was the Third Division outfit who threatened first when Kevin McDonald's near-post free kick from the left touchline was bundled narrowly wide by Paul Currie.

However, the Jags soon settled down to enjoy the lion's share of possession and chances.

The deadlock was almost broken when first Tommy Stewart and then Kris Doolan saw net-bound shots brilliantly blocked by Jamie Barclay, but the Berwick keeper was beaten in 28 minutes as Thistle grabbed the lead following a deadly counter-attack.

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Doolan's early ball released Chris Erskine on the left and the winger's cross was perfectly measured for the in-rushing Paul Cairney to nod into an unguarded net.

However, Rangers hit back with a well-worked goal for their own, Steve Thomson's pass sending Stuart Noble racing down the left flank and his near-post cross found Damon Gray nipping ahead of his marker to convert.

Things grew worse for Thistle on the restart when Paul Paton was shown a straight red card after being deemed to have denied Gray a goal-scoring opportunity.

It was a decision which angered the home fans and Paul Currie should have compounded their misery when found himself four yards out with the goal gaping. However, the midfielder dithered and Aaron Sinclair made a crucial interception.

Berwick, though, sensed their opportunity and Noble took it when his angled shot found the bottom corner of Fox's net.

Conrad Balatoni was dismissed for hauling down Noble in the box and Paul Currie converted the penalty. There was still time for the referee to have the final say by red-carding McDonald for a second booking.