Partick Thistle proved too strong for bottom side Dundee United, cruising to their first victory since October thanks to goals from four different players. 

Rachel Donaldson opened the scoring with a well timed volley to put away Imogen Longcake’s cross on the ten minute mark.

Having held out for almost half an hour, Suzy Shepherd will no doubt be disappointed to have seen her side concede just before the break with Megan Burns guilty of putting Caley Gibb’s driven ball across the face of goal into her own net.

Keeper Beth Rennie was at fault as her goal kick lacked distance, landing at the feet of Longcake who drove forward before tucking away a tidy finish past the keeper.

Putting the game to bed with Thistle’s fourth was Tiree Burchill who raced onto Carla Boyce’s through ball and made no mistake to slot the ball home.

With minutes to go, Dundee United pulled a goal back to deny Jenna Currie a clean sheet after Amy Taylor ghosted into the box to meet Alix Moodie’s cross.

In truth the margin could have been far greater had it not been for some excellent saves from Rennie and the crossbar.

Searching desperately for a goal to add to her assist Longcake was unfortunate as her thundered effort rattled the crossbar minutes into the second half.

Thistle were often guilty of making life too easy for Rennie, Georgia Gray unable to cap off an impressive outing, fired an effort straight into the keeper’s arms.

However the United keeper was on hand to deny Burchill one on one with a terrific save before smothering the rebound from Longcake.

Just a few minutes later Gibb had what looked like a certain goal by Rennie’s stop from point blank range.

Thistle were able to see out the victory from there and the result means they remain five points behind Motherwell in sixth, albeit with a game in hand.

Dundee United meanwhile, remain rooted at the foot of the table having won just one game this season.

Line-ups:

Thistle: Currie, Gibb, McCulloch, Falconer (c), Gray, Bulloch (Craig 74), Donaldson (King 66), Sinclair (English 66), Burchill (Hay 82), Longcake (Robinson 82), Boyce Unused subs: Fears (gk), Cowan, Docherty, Slater

Booked: 

Goals: Donaldson (10), Burns (41 o.g.), Longcake (49), Burchill (70)

Dundee United: Rennie, Taylor, Burns, Hutchinson, Frew (c), Robertson, Martindale, Moodie, Logan (K. McFarlane 79), Brien, Steedman (H. McFarlane 91) Unused subs: Mowatt (c), Creamer, L. Steedman

Booked: Frew, Martindale, Brien

Goals:

Referee: Kieran O’Reilly