A Jamie Murphy header proved to be the difference in an attritional first leg at Firhill which saw nine yellow cards produced.

Having ceded possession and with the momentum going against them, the striker produced a deft header to give his side the advantage that would come to be the only goal of the game.

Despite the low scoring affair, there was no shortage of action on the night as Nick McAllister was eventually forced off with a head injury which had occurred a few minutes earler after Thistle captain Brian Graham intervened to ask that the player be removed.

The interruption would set the tone for a game that seemed to have more stoppages than completed passes, both teams forced to send the ball long to find joy.

Graham would have opportunities in the opening half, the first header denied by the palm of the acrobatic Clarke whilst the second sailed past the Ayr keeper’s post.

Looking as if a draw would suffice, the visitors aimed to wind down the clock and mount their attacks on home turf.

However Scott Brown was instead able to leave with what could prove to be a decisive win for the side.

Ayr did have chances prior to the goal, in an attack beginning with Scott McMann the men in white found themselves scything through the middle of their opponents before George Oakley blasted his attempt wide.

Looking to the heavens for answers, Graham would see his and Thistle’s final attempt at rescuing something flash wide.

Line-ups:

Partick Thistle: Mitchell, O’Reilly, Ashcroft, McBeth, Megwa, Turner, Bannigan, Fitzpatrick (Stanway 84), Crawford (Ablade 61), Lawless, Graham (c) Unused subs: Budinauckas, Falconer, Lockhart, Mackenzie

Booked: Fitzpatrick, Turner, Crawford, Graham, O’Reilly

Ayr United: Clarke, McMann, Agbaire, McAllister (Watret 10), Reading, Rus, Dempsey (c), McKenzie, Murphy (Henderson 76), Oakley (Main 77), McLennan Unused subs: Hastie, Mutch, Walker

Goals: Murphy (55)

Booked: Oakley, Agbaire, Clarke

Attendance: 5,250