Dumbarton 1 Partick Thistle 2

Last updated : 31 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Promotion-hopefuls Partick bounced back from their Christmas going-over by Stirling in the best possible way, but for the second time this season they had to come from behind to eclipse the Sons.

With both teams starting the game in near-identical strips, the early howls from the crowd were in the hopes of a colour swap. But the home support were soon on their feet for a good reason as Ryan Borris turned on the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable shot past the despairing Kenny Arthur.

Thistle got their act together and David Craig saw a header cleared off the line by Paul McQuilken before Jukka Santala levelled things from 12 yards, although Dumbarton's appeals for hand-ball against the Finn in the build-up seemed justified.

Santala was also involved in what proved to be the winner. Scott McCulloch's free-kick was pushed clear by Stephen Grindlay only for Jamie Smith to needlessly haul Santala to the ground as they chased the ball. McCulloch made no mistake from the spot.

Thistle opened the second period brightly, but as they failed to increase their lead they seemed more and more content to hang on to what they had. A late Sons' rally almost paid off as former Firhill striker John Gemmell got on the end of an Iain Russell cross only for his header to come back off the crossbar.