Falkirk 2 Partick Thistle 1

Last updated : 05 March 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Falkirk maintained their lead at the top of the table with a fine win against second- bottom team Partick.

2-1 was the final score but it could have been more for the Bairns.They had all the early pressure with Jags' keeper Kenny Arthur saving a header from Falkirk captain Kevin James after a Russell Latapy cross.

In the 10th minute Darryl Duffy could have put the home side in front when he picked up a through ball from Latapy, and with only the keeper to beat he shot just over.

The Bairns took the lead in the 17th minute when Craig McPherson sent over a deep cross which found the head of Daniel McBreen, who put the home side in front from eight yards.

Ten minutes later the Bairns were two up when a long searching ball from Latapy this time found Duffy, and he shot low across the face of the goal and into the net for his 23rd of the season.

Duffy then turned from saint to sinner a minute later when he was adjudged to have brought down Thistle's Jamie Mitchell and referee John Rowbottom pointed to the spot. A soft decision and Grant Murray slotted the ball home, although Allan Ferguson in the Falkirk goal managed to get a hand to it.

The second half saw the Bairns turning up the gas with chances falling to McBreen, Duffy, Latapy and McPherson, but they all failed to convert. It could have been more for the home side.