Thistle come crashing back down to earth with an almighty crash as Arbroath deservedly leave Firhill with all three points. 

There were hopes of another comeback victory when a Stuart Bannigan penalty levelled the scores in the second half after Arbroath led by a solitary goal at the break. 

An Arbroath penalty of their own through restored their lead followed swiftly by a killer thrid goal that leaves Thistle rooted to the bottom of the league looking for their first home league win of the season. 

Harkins' over hit cross goes out of play for an Arbroath goal kick. 

there's going to be no remarkable ending to this game. As the cold wind blows around Firhill the majority of those still inside the ground are just waiting for the final whistle to sound on a dismal display. 

Gordon has a chance at the back post following Harkins' corner but his header is poor and goes wide. 

Harkins takes the free kick and O'Ware's header is deflected over. 

Thistle have a free kick on the left in line with the 6 yard box. 

Arbroath have a free kick just in from the left touchline. They make a mess of it and Thistle try to break quickly but Zanatta is halted. 

Arbroath sub Kader finds Hamilton inside the box and his low shot beats Fox at his near post. And that should be the points secured for Arbroath. 

McKenna sends Fox the wrong way and the ball into the corner of the net. 

This time it is a Thistle hand inside the box and an Arbroath penalty. 

Zanatta is left on the ground after he heads clear an Arbroath free kick. 

Bannigan flights the corner towards the back post but despite Arbroath struggling to clear Thistle can't make anything of it. 

Scott Fox makes a save near his right hand post to deny Linn. 

Bannigan takes the penalty. It's a short run up that leaves this reporter at least feeling less than confident but it is a well placed penalty that Gaston can't get to and Thistle are level. 

The referee spots an Arbroath hand in the box and Thistle have a chance to draw level. 

De Vita delivers the free kick into a good area but it is well defended by Arbroath. 

Zanatta is caught late and Thistle have a free kick wide on the left. 

De Vita and Zanatta work a short corner and when the latter does wing the ball into the box it is far too close tp Gaston who makes an easy catch. 

Thistle are pressing but its all a bit too frantic with the final pass or cross poor. 

Zanatta's first involvement in the game is to force Gaston into a save low down

Thistle have made a change at the break. 

Thistle find themselves trailing at the break for the second week in a row. 

Last week Thistle stages a stirring second half comeback and will need to do the same again today but there will need to be a marked improvement after a poor first half showing during which Thistle have failed to make the visiting keeper work. 

De Vita's corner is cleared. 

Bannigan slips as he takes the corner but Gordon is able to connect but he can't shape his body to get a shot anywhere near on target. 

The corner, Thistle's first of the game, is cleared and although De Vita gets the ball back that cross is cleared too. 

Thistle are opened up down the Arbroath left. The ball is crossed to Donnelly who makes no mistake with a crisp low finish. 

Williamson manages to get the ball over from the right. It falls to Robson who takes a touch to steady himself but makes a hash of his shot and the ball spins away from goal. 

Kakay has been quiet so far but he bursts into life and cuts inside from the right but eventually over runs the ball. 

Miller catches a Robson cross on the volley but the ball strikes a defender. 

Thistle are again forced into defending a good corner before Hamilton fizzes a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box. 

It's a really good corner and O'Brien comes close but under pressure heads the ball wide of the post. 

Thistle clear the free kick not without some difficulty and Arbroath remain on the attack. 

It's Arbroath that are on the front foot at the moment and they have a free kick a yard or so in from the left touchline. 

Virtanen has a shot for Arbroath but it is well wide of the Thistle goal. 

That's the nearest we've come to a goal yet. Gordon flicks McGinty's pass on. Robson is able to knock the ball past Gaston but can't get enough on the ball and it is cleared a few yards from the goal lie. 

Miller passes inside to Gordon on his right but Gordon's low drive from close to 25 yards out goes comfortably wide of target. 

Robson shows some neat foot work to side step Stewart but slices his cross out of play. 

Robson and Gordon combine really well on the left and Gordon advances into the box but his cut back is cleared. Thistle just starting to assert themselves in this match and take charge. 

Robson is caught late but with Kakay starting to advance with the ball the referee initially looks like playing advantage before he stops play for a Thistle free kick a yard inside the Thistle half. 

Bannigan pushes forward wth the ball and spots Robson to his left. Robson's cross clips a defender and spins clear. 

Thistle have seen more of the ball than Arbroath in the opening minutes but its been uneventful so far. 

And Thistle have the game's first shot at goal but Gordon's effort from the edge of the box doesn't present Gaston in the Arbroath goal with any problems. 

Thistle kick the game off and are shooting towards the city end in the first half. 

After a fantastic comeback win at Dens Park last time out, Thistle host Arbroath this afternoon still searching for their first home league win of the season. 

Ian McCall's starting eleven shows two changes from the side that started against Dundee seven days ago. With neither Joe Cardle or Steven Saunders stripped for action this afternoon in come Shea Gordon and Tommy Robson. 

Tam O'Ware is expected to drop back into the heart of the Thistle defence in Saunders absence while Robson is a candidate to fill in on the left side of midfield. 

On the bench Thistle list Dario Zanatta, an absentee last weekend, among their six listed subs. 

Arbroath, managed by ex Thistle manager Dick Campbell, are making their first visit to Firhill for over 17 years and will be looking to go one better than the 1-1 between today's teams at Gayfield earlier this season. Arbroath having the better of the exchanges that evening. 

It's cool and breezy at Firhill but the pitch is looking in excellent condition and there is a sense of anticipation building as kick-off starts to approach.