PARTICK Thistle did their bit to keep the First Division title chase going for another week at least when they beat Morton 1-0 at Cappielow. Following St Johnstone's defeat yesterday, Thistle are now only four points behind, with three games left.
On-loan Hamilton striker and one-time ballet dancer Lucas Akins scored the winner after 20 minutes when he pirouetted to hook the ball home from six yards out. Firhill manager Ian McCall said: "I thought we were terrific and left Greenock with a gr
eat result. That must make us favourites for second place now."
McCall's men could have enjoyed a more comfortable afternoon, with Akins failing to capitalise on his earlier good work by missing a couple of one-on-one chances with home goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert and Kris Doolan heading wide from a good position.
Steve Masterton almost grabbed a leveller with a free kick that struck one post and ran along the line.
At the other end of the table, Clyde's off-the-field agreement with their landlords at North Lanarkshire Council to stay on at Broadwood brought reward as they enjoyed a 3-0 win over second-bottom Airdrie.
The result leaves only a point between the sides, and the foundations for the win were laid by former Diamond Ricky Waddell's tap-in after five minutes. Ruari MacLennan came on for Tony Stevenson in 51 minutes, and the substitute made the points safe with a volley ten minutes later before taking the ball off Airdrie goalkeeper Stephen Robertson's toes to roll in a third with 15 minutes left.
Broadwood manager John Brown said: "The guys showed great spirit and we are now in with a chance."
Dunfermline ended a run of five games without a win after beating Ross County 3-1 at Dingwall. Neither side is certain of not being involved in the relegation dog fight, although Dunfermline can now look forward to Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-final action against Falkirk on Sunday.
The Pars opened the scoring when Calum Woods bundled the ball in ten minutes from the break but Steven Craig levelled with a fine solo goal just after the interval. Dunfermline reclaimed the lead when Andy Kirk slotted home a Steven Bell pass and the points were definitely going to East End Park when Graeme Bayne drilled home with 13 minutes to go.
Dundee responded to manager Jocky Scott's criticism after last week's defeat by Airdrie by travelling to Livingston and coming back with a 1-0 win to move above the Almondvale side in the table.
Darren Young marked his first start for the Dark Blues by netting after a Mickael Antoine-Curier shot had been saved by Roddy McKenzie with just over an hour played.
Dundee managed to hold on after Gary McKenzie picked up his second red card in just three weeks with a couple of minutes remaining.
