Partick Thistle 1-0 Airdrieonians

Stanway (23′)

Ben Stanway’s first-half free kick was the difference for Partick Thistle, as they closed the gap on St Johnstone to three points.

After league leaders St Johnstone’s goalless draw in Kirkcaldy, Mark Wilson’s side knew the gap at the top of the table could be cut to three points with victory over relegation-threatened Airdrie. The visitors settled well, but the Jags played like a side determined to close the gap.

They produced the first major chance on the 10-minute mark, as Alex Samuel headed Logan Chalmer’s cross off the far post. The ball deflected into the six-yard box, and Airdrie scrambled clear.

The visitors struggled to deal with Thistle, who seized control. Ts’oanelo Lets’osa drove at the backline in the 20th minute, the ball found its way to Patrick Reading, whose shot deflected away from Harry Stone’s net.

Thistle deservedly opened the scoring three minutes later, after Jamie Barjonas hauled Tony Watt down on the edge of the box, Ben Stanway delivered a rasping free-kick into the top right corner.

The goal warranted the Jags’ relentless pressure and closed the gap on St Johnstone at the summit of the Scottish Championship. Oisin Smyth forced a low save from Stone moments later, as they looked to turn the screw.

Stone produced a brilliant one-handed save to deny Let’sosa, who raced onto Tony Watt’s forward ball, and fired a left-footed strike high towards the goal. Lee Ashcroft headed wide from close range after the resulting corner.

Wilson would have been pleased with his side’s response following a pedestrian opening ten minutes. The only negative was that they didn’t score more chances.

Airdrie worked their best chance on the stroke of halftime. After breaking over the halfway line, Dylan MacDonald found space on the right-hand side of the box. With only Clarke to beat, the defender sliced his strike behind and perhaps should have done better.

The rain began to pour in Glasgow’s West End, but the hosts picked up where they left off from the first period.

Stone produced another tremendous one-handed save to deny Smyth from the edge of the box. The Northern Irish midfielder’s curling effort looked set to find the top right corner, but once again, Stone kept his toiling side in the game.

Substitute Aidan Fitzpatrick burst into the game in the 64th minute and showcased electric pace, evading several white and red jerseys. His back post cross found Watt at the back post, but the striker could not divert the cross on target.

Despite dominating the game, the hosts knew that a second goal would be pivotal for killing off any hope of an Airdrie comeback. Wilson withdrew goalscorer Stanway to a standing ovation with twenty minutes to play. The academy graduate produced an outstanding performance from midfield and may merit a Premiership move come the summer.

Fitzpatrick threatened again with ten minutes to play, a whipped cross to the back post found the onrushing Daniel O’Reilly, who could only volley over from close range.

The hosts closed out the game, reducing the gap at the top of the table to three points. It may have been an uncomfortable scoreline for Wilson to endure, but the victory was all that mattered.

Airdrie remain in ninth, all in all, it was an afternoon to forget for the dismal diamonds.

Partick Thistle: Clarke 6 Reading 6 Ashcroft 6 Smyth 6 Samuel 6 Chalmers 7 (56’) O’Reilly 6 McPherson 6 Stanway 8 (67’) Watt 6 Lets’osa 7 (83’)

Substitutes: Fitzpatrick 6 (56’) Crawford 6 (67’) Turner 4 (83’)

Airdrieonians: Stone 6 MacDonald 6 Strapp 6 McMaster 6 Mochrie 5 (79’)Henderson 6 McArthur 6 Thomas 6 (58’) Ross 6 McGrattan 5 (79’) Barjonas 4 (58’)

Substitutes: Gallagher 6 (58’) McKinnon 6 (58’) Telfer 3 (79’) Mahon 3 (79’)

Attendance: 3984