Saturday 3rd May, 2025 at 1:25am
Partick Thistle defeated Livingston 1-0 on a night filled with tension and nerves in West Lothian that ensured our season continues.
It was all or nothing for both sides at the Home of the Set Fare Arena with Thistle knowing that a result equal or better than Raith Rovers would see them secure the final play-off spot ahead of Tuesday’s first leg.
For Livingston, it was more Fast Car Friday than Helicopter Sunday as the Championship trophy sat equidistant between Falkirk and Livingston awaiting a winner. A win for Falkirk would seal the title, but any slip up would allow Livingston to clinch the league from under their noses.
Stuart Bannigan missed out through suspension after picking up a red card in the 2-1 win over Falkirk, whilst Josh Reid and Logan Chalmers were injured, with Kyle Turner and Ben Stanway coming into the XI instead.
It was a lively start with both teams going for it from the first whistle, eager to lay a marker down in their respective battles.
Livingston had the better of the early going, with chances created in and around the box. The pressure was cranked up with the news that Hamilton had taken the lead on seven minutes at the Falkirk Stadium.
It could have been a magnificent seventh minute for the hosts as Robbie Muirhead raced clear however the legs of David Mitchell came to Thistle’s recue.
Despite openings for Robbie Fraser, Stephen Kelly and Cristian Montaño, Thistle’s back line remained resolute, soaking up the pressure and standing firm.
The complexion of the night then took a complete u-turn on the 37th minute, with developments at both ends of the title race. An equaliser for Falkirk against Hamilton was punctuated by Thistle opening the scoring against the run of play.
A lovely three-man-move from Aidan Fitzpatrick, Ben Stanway and Kanayo Megwa saw Megwa find space on the right. He fired a pass across the box, only for Macaulay Tait to get in the way, inadvertently sending the ball into the Livingston net for an own goal.
Livingston tried to respond immediately, with Stephen Kelly firing off a shot moments after kick off. Luckily for the Jags, the effort clattered off the bar, ensuring we remained one to the good going into the break.
Half Time – Livingston 0 Partick Thistle 1
Thistle suffered an early setback three minutes into the second half when Sean Kelly went down holding his hamstring. Kelly was replaced by Stevie Lawless, who deputised in Fitzpatrick’s role as Fitzpatrick moved to left wing back.
By the hour mark, Thistle had more bodies down than the Royal Rumble with Brian Graham and Robbie Crawford also requiring treatment from the physio, with Crawford eventually coming off himself, replaced by Zander MacKenzie.
Thistle were under the cosh as an increasingly more desperate Livingston threw everything at them in search of a goal. Over at Hampden, Raith Rovers were now 3-1 up on an under strength QP side, leaving Thistle looking over their shoulder as their goal difference advantage was eroded away.
The Jags were penned into their own box and in serious danger, but the back three of Ashcroft, O’Reilly and McBeth were able to clear their way out of multiple risky situations as the tension continued to rise.
Not even a third Falkirk goal to all but seal the league title could convince Livingston to take their foot off the gas. They continued to threaten Mitchell in the Thistle goal as news filtered through that Raith Rovers had now stretched their lead over QP to 5-1.
Another injury, this time to Fitzpatrick, saw Ablade thrown on as a makeshift left wing back. It was backs to the wall, with Thistle knowing that one goal for Livi and one goal for Raith would sink their play-off hopes.
A brilliant save from Mitchell from a Stevie May shot kept us in the lead, as Thistle braved seven additional minutes of injury time following the downtime earlier in the half.
Livi were determined to spoil Thistle’s party, but The Jags made it through seven minutes of injury time to survive The West Lothian Alamo and confirm their place in the promotion playoffs.
Full Time – Livingston 0 Partick Thistle 1
There’s no time to rest for the Jags, who will now host Ayr at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill on Tuesday night in Quarter Final First Leg action, with the Second Leg three days later at Somerset Park.
Livingston: Jérôme Prior; Jamie Brandon (Daniel Finlayson 72’), Ryan McGowan, Danny Wilson, Robbie Fraser; Scott Pittman (Andrew Shinnie 69’), Macauley Tait, Stephen Kelly, Lewis Smith, Cristian Montaño (Tete Yengi 58’); Robbie Muirhead (Stevie May 72’)
Unused Substitutes: Jack Hamilton (GK), Shaun Donnellan, Matthew Clarke, Reece McAlear, Michael Nottingham
Partick Thistle: David Mitchell; Sean Kelly (Stevie Lawless 50’), Lee Ashcroft, Daniel O’Reilly, Luke McBeth, Kanayo Megwa; Ben Stanway, Robbie Crawford (Zander MacKenzie 62’), Aidan Fitzpatrick (Terry Ablade 80’), Kyle Turner, Brian Graham
Unused Substitutes: Lewis Budinauckas (GK), Luis Cameron (GK), Nick Lockhart, Matthew Falconer
Referee: Calum Scott
Attendance: 3,890
By David Forrest
